Check before you go camping this weekend

San Diego, CA – September 2, 2009…Effective on Thursday morning, September 3, 2009 at 6 a.m., the Cleveland National Forest will move Forest Use Restrictions from VERY HIGH to EXTREME in order to protect the public and natural resources from the threat of wildfire.  Factors such as current and predicted weather, the amount of dead trees and brush, fuel moisture conditions, the level of fire activity in the region and nationally, and fire suppression resource availability, are used to determine the appropriate level of Forest use restrictions.

Forest officials have determined that in order to safeguard against potential fire starts, it is necessary to limit certain forest uses.  These Forest Use Restriction levels may change as necessary depending on fuels conditions and the likelihood of fire starts across the Forest.
ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES AND RESTRICTIONS BY DISTRICT

Descanso Ranger District (619) 445-6235
All trails open
Gates and roads closed to vehicle access:
Fred Canyon Road (Forest Road 16S08)
Pine Mountain Road ( Forest Road 14S02)

Additional Restrictions:
Wood and charcoal fires are ONLY allowed in identified sites in designated fire rings in Burnt Rancheria, the El Prado Group and Laguna campgrounds ONLY.
Gas, liquid, and jelly petroleum fueled stoves are allowed in all open developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas.

Palomar Ranger District (760) 788-0250
Restrictions:
Wood and charcoal fires are NOT allowed on the district.
Gas, liquid, and jelly petroleum fueled stoves are allowed in all open developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas.
Stoves and fires are NOT allowed in remote camping areas.

Trabuco Ranger District (951) 736-1811
The Wildomar OHV area will be CLOSED including trails.

Additional Restrictions:
Fires and stoves are NOT allowed in remote camping areas in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.
Wood and charcoal fires are NOT allowed on the district.
Gas, liquid, and jelly petroleum fueled stoves are allowed in all open developed campgrounds, developed picnic areas.

The Forest is open to the hunting of birds and game according to season schedules and hunting regulations set by the California Department of Fish and Game, although some areas are restricted to entry by foot or vehicle, as noted above.

OPEN FIRES ARE NEVER ALLOWED in remote areas on the Cleveland National Forest.  FIREWORKS ARE NEVER ALLOWED on the Cleveland National Forest.  Discharging a firearm with steel core, armor piercing or tracer ammunition is also not allowed at any time on the Forest.  Please use care and caution when visiting the Forest.

Forest visitors can check on road access, allowable recreational activities, and other restrictions at by clicking here,  “current conditions” or by calling the nearest district office.  For a recorded message please call 619-593-2183.  Please check with the other southern California National Forests to determine what current fire restrictions are in place.  In addition, the Forest Service asks that all forest visitors continue their usual fire safety precautions: smoking only in enclosed vehicles and developed recreation sites and making sure cigarette butts are completely extinguished; keeping matches and smoking materials away from children; and reporting fires by calling ‘911’.

Tags: Cleveland National Forest, fire, SDNN

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm and is filed under Rancho Bernardo . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.