Placerville – El Dorado National Forest recently issued a reminder that woodcutting and campfire permits expired Dec. 31, and renewals began Jan. 1, at Ranger Stations.
Forest Supervisor Kathy Hardy said “travelers and woodcutters should note that the seasonal dirt road and trail closure for wheeled motorized vehicles on the El Dorado National Forest will go into effect on Jan. 1” and “visitors should plan their activities with this in mind.”
Seasonal closure Jan. 1 to March 30 was established based on precipitation records in critically dry years. Routes will remain closed until at least April 1.
Road and trail conditions, precipitation, soil moisture, and weather forecasts, will be considered in the spring when it is decided whether to reopen dirt roads and trails.
Roads subject to closure are identified on a map that is free-of-charge and available at all El Dorado National Forest offices and on its website.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit said recently that due to December’s prolonged dry spell, fire danger remains above average across the Central Sierras and the chance of large and damaging fires still exists.
Lisa Williams, Resource Secretary for the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit said “even though the area has experienced cooler temperatures and a little moisture, recent dry winds have brought back the danger of wildland fire.”
She said even though fire season has ended, California lends itself to severe wildfire conditions year-round with its unique climate and topography.
Williams said Cal-Fire does not issue woodcutting permits. That remains the sole responsibility of USFS, but Cal-Fire does help the Forest Service in issuing campfire permits.
“As far as bigger fire risk between the two counties,” Williams said, “I won't say one county has more risk than the other. It is just simply the lack of rain,” and “not enough rain to bring back any moisture has made conditions continually dry in both counties.”
Safety tip include checking to make sure it is a permissive burn day, Williams said, and just because it is a permissive burn day doesn’t mean it is safe to burn. People should consider conditions, such as high gust and wind, and surrounding dry vegetation.
Williams said always stay in attendance of the burn project. Have suppression tools, such as shovel and water, available in case of escape. Create a bare mineral soil zone, down to dirt, around the project. And don’t burn piles that are too big for your control. Also, don’t dump ashes from fire places or stoves onto vegetation.
“Although burning is an effective tool in the reduction of wild-land fire fuels,” she said, “if a homeowner does have a fire escape their control they can be fined,” issued a misdemeanor citation, and have to pay suppression cost to put the fire out.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
