Restrictions on Campfires in Wilderness Areas Below 6,000 Feet in Elevation
Fire restrictions for Yosemite National Park went into effect yesterday, Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The fire order restricts the use of campfires in wilderness below 6,000 feet in elevation. However, campfires in designated campgrounds and picnic areas will still be allowed.
Yosemite National Park is implementing fire restrictions due to several years of exceptional drought conditions and high fire danger. The winters of 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 were all below average precipitation. The Yosemite Region, along with all of California, is in the third year of drought. Conditions are comparable to the major drought of the 1970’s. Due to these conditions, the order is designed to reduce the chances of human caused fires in some of the park’s driest areas. Vegetation throughout the park is drier than at this time last year and increased care and caution are required to protect park resources and ensure visitor and staff safety.
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On October 30 the Bureau of Land Management lifted seasonal fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties. Campfires, barbecues, and gas stoves are allowed again on those BLM lands — but only with a valid California campfire permit. Permits are required outside developed campgrounds and are available for free at readyforwildfire.org or at any BLM, Forest Service, or CAL FIRE office.
It might be starting a bit early this year, but California is officially entering one of our unique-to-the-United-States seasons (we don’t have spring summer, fall, and winter; we have fire, rain, mudslide, and awards). As we progress through what the west of the northern hemisphere calls “summer” we’re going to start seeing increased restrictions at our public lands. This happens every year – nothing to be alarmed about.
