Wednesday, 29 August 2007 00:55

US Forest Service: Fire Danger

slide3Eldorado National Forest Fire Chief Bob Patton says The fire danger in the Eldorado National Forest is critically high. He is also says  “The fire danger in the Forest is higher than it was when the 16,000 acre Power and 8,000 acre Freds fires started in 2004. It’s higher than 2001 when the 16,000 acre Star Fire started, and it’s higher than 1992 when the 24,500 acre Cleveland fire started.” “To the tens of thousands of visitors we expect to come to the Forest this Labor Day weekend Smokey Bear’s message is dead on: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Campfires are the number one cause of human started wildfires in the national forest, says Patton.

Forest Service fire restrictions currently prohibit any type of open campfires and charcoal barbecues outside hosted campgrounds. If a campground caretaker, , is not residing in a campground then no campfires or barbecues are allowed. Visitors choosing to build a campfire in violation of the fire restrictionsslide20 will be faced with a $375 fine and the possibly of a mandatory appearance before a federal magistrate. “I have been disappointed to find such a large number of people continuing to build campfires even though they have been prohibited since last June,” said Fire Prevention Specialist Barbara Rebiskie. "Many people are abiding by the rules but every weekend we find way too many people putting the Forest at risk with illegal campfires and barbecues. Campers are still allowed to use propane stoves and lanterns if they have a permit and place the equipment in a safe spot." Rebiskie says that while campfires are not allowed, the California campfire permit allows propane lanterns and stoves to be used outside hosted campgrounds. The free-of-charge permits can be picked up at any Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management Office. Smoking outside of a vehicle is also prohibited. Persons riding motorcycles and ATVs are required to have a functioning, approved spark arrester on their muffler. Folks need to remember that it is still their responsibility to know the rules and regulations prior to camping and that they could be held responsible for any and all suppression costs created by their negligence.