Only once or twice before do I remember campfires being banned inside the developed campgrounds of Plaskett Creek and Kirk Creek. This should give everyone an idea about how bad it is.
Los Padres National Forest officials raise fire restrictions
GOLETA, Calif. – Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Extreme Fire Danger fire restrictions will go into effect immediately and remain in effect through December 31, 2019. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced:
- Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest, including designated Campfire Use sites. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel only within the Designated Campfire Use Sites listed on Exhibit A. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf).
- Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.
- Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from the target shooting prohibition.
- Smoking is prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)
Violators may face a fine of $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, please contact your nearest Forest Service office. A list of designated Campfire Use Sites is available on the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or by contacting the Forest Service district office nearest you.
So thankful they are doing this. Last year at Kirk, a large eucalyptus branch hung about 10 feet above the firepit at site 5 of the walk-in camps. Twice there were huge bonfires lasting all night, one with a large log that hungover both edges of the fire pit, still smoldering in the morning, with burned smaller branches down in the ground alongside. The men who did this heard me talk with the camp host about the fire the night before they left this overhanging smoldering log!! The overhanging tree branches were singed and brown. UNBELIEVABLE!!
Thanks for sharing this Kirk campfire story.