Fire Restrictions / Angeles National Forest / New Forest Order

[RobertW]

Order No. 01-07-02
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to protect public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest.  This order is effective from August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008.

• 1.  Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.  36 CFR 261.52(a).
• 2.  Using an explosive.  36 CFR 261.52(b).
• 3.  Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.  36 CFR 261.52(d).
• 4.  Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.  36 CFR 261.52(i).

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt:

• 1.  Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.  Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.  However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable stove or lantern using propane, butane, petroleum gas or jellied fuel.
• 2.  Persons within Forest Service developed recreation sites may use a portable stove or lantern using propane, butane, petroleum gas or jellied fuel without a California Campfire Permit.
• 3.  Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Done at Arcadia, California, this 31st day of July, 2007.

JODY NOIRON
Forest Supervisor
Angeles National Forest

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable for a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.  16 USC 551 and, 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.

[RobertW]

Thanks to Janie for alerting me to the fact that I posted the wrong Forest Order.  The above one is now correct.  Note Janie's email to me:
Bob,

"Please read the press release and forest order concerning fire restrictions on this ANF web site:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/ under Fire Danger Raised to Extreme.

In ANF under the August 1 restrictions:

Smoking is ONLY in enclosed cars and buildings.
No wood or charcoal fires anywhere.
Coleman stoves are OK in designated areas, i.e., campgrounds and picnic areas that are cleared.
Backpacker stoves are still OK WITH a free CA Campfire permit for dispersed camping.

However, some personnel disagree on interpretation here. Some think that trail camps are designated areas, others do not. Some will give you information that you cannot use backpacker [jellied fuel] stoves for dispersed camping, others say yes. I talked to the Fire Prevention Patrol Officer, the Resource Officer and the VIS tech about this. I'm giving you the FPPO version."

Jane

BTW, we were informed yesterday by the District Ranger that there will probably be some closures of the forest coming in the near future.  It won't be a complete forest closure, but parts of it may be closed due to the servere fire danger we are now experiencing.