In response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, Los Padres National Forest officials announced today that Level 2 fire restrictions will be implemented throughout the forest beginning June 25, 2010. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines and will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn.

Beginning June 25, 2010, the following restrictions will be in effect:

• No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (listed below). even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office). Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times during use.

• Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrestor.

Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez cited increasingly dry conditions in her decision to limit the usage of open flame fire in the forest. “We are asking visitors to be extra vigilant during the summer months when recreating in Los Padres National Forest,” Hernandez said. “The vegetation is quickly losing the moisture it received during the rainy season.”

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit the Los Padres National Forest website, or contact the following offices:

  • Forest Supervisor’s Office – 805-968-6640
  • Santa Barbara Ranger District – 805-967-3481
  • Ojai ranger District – 805-646-4348
  • Mt. Pinos Ranger District – 661-245-3731
  • Santa Lucia Ranger District – 805-925-9538
  • Monterey Ranger District – 831-385-5434

The following areas are Forest Service developed sites in Los Padres National Forest where campfires and barbecues are permitted.

Santa Barbara Ranger District

  • Cachuma Campground
  • Falls Day Use Area
  • First Crossing Day Use Area
  • Fremont Campground
  • Live Oak Day Use Area
  • Los Prietos Campground
  • Lower Oso Day Use Area
  • Middle Santa Ynez Campground
  • Mono Campground
  • P-Bar Flat Campground
  • Paradise Campground
  • Red Rock Day Use Area
  • Rock Camp
  • Sage Hill Campground
  • Upper Oso Campground
  • White Rock Day Use Area

Santa Lucia Ranger District

  • American Canyon Campground
  • Baja Campground
  • Barrel Spring Campground
  • Bates Canyon Campground
  • Brookshire Campground
  • Buck Spring Campground
  • Cerro Alto Campground
  • Colson Campground
  • Cumbre Day Use Area
  • Davy Brown Campground
  • Figueroa Campground
  • Friis Campground
  • Hi Mountain Campground
  • Horseshoe Spring Campground
  • La Panza Campground
  • Miranda Pine Campground
  • Navajo Campground
  • Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area
  • Nira Campground
  • Pino Alto Day Use Area
  • Wagon Flat Campground

Monterey Ranger District

  • Arroyo Seco Campground/Group Camp
  • Arroyo Seco Day Use Area
  • Bottchers Gap Campground
  • China Camp Campground
  • Escondido Campground
  • Kirk Creek Campground
  • Nacimiento Campground
  • Mill Creek Picnic Area
  • Plaskett Creek Campground/ Group Camp
  • Ponderosa Campground
  • Sand Dollar Day Use Area
  • Santa Lucia Memorial Park Campground
  • White Oaks Campground

Mount Pinos Ranger District

  • Aliso Park Campground
  • Ballinger Campground
  • Caballo Campground
  • Campo Alto Campground
  • Chuchupate Campground
  • Chula Vista Campground
  • Dome Springs Campground
  • Dutchman Campground
  • Halfmoon Campground
  • Kings Camp Campground
  • Marian Campground
  • McGill Campground
  • McGill Group Campground
  • Mt. Pinos Campground
  • Nettle Springs Campground
  • Ozena Campground
  • Pine Springs Campground
  • Rancho Nuevo Campground
  • Reyes Creek Campground
  • Thorn Meadows Campground
  • Tinta Campground
  • Toad Springs Campground
  • Valle Vista Campground

Ojai Ranger District

  • Holiday Group Campground
  • Middle Lion Campground
  • Pine Mountain Campground
  • Reyes Peak Campground
  • Rose Valley Campground
  • Wheeler Gorge Campground

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