Six Rivers National Forest officials have issued orders prohibiting the use of fire at five campgrounds within the Smith River National Recreation Area.

This new order is meant to protect natural resources and reduce wildland firefighter exposure to COVID-19, according to a National Forest Service news release.

The order prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using fire, campfire or stove fire at Big Flat Campground, North Fork Campground, Pappas Flat, Chimney Flat and Flat Camp, according to the news release:

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from these fire-use restrictions. However, with a valid California Campfire Permit, available for FREE online at www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit, visitors may use a portable campfire pit, stove or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials.

Additional exemptions may be found in attached Forest Order 20-10-10 or online at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices.

Ted McArthur, SRNF forest supervisor, said, “My priority is to protect the health and well-being of our first responders and the public. That’s why we’re taking additional precautions now to prevent wildfire ignitions on the forest.” He added, “With the high temperatures and historically low fuel moistures on the northern and southern ends of the forest, everyone needs to be extra-careful with fire.”

The restrictions of Forest Order 20-10-10 are in effect from September 3 through November 1, 2020, and are in addition to the restrictions of Forest Order 20-10-001 (www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd745360.pdf) enacted in late May.

Fire restrictions are also in effect for the Watts Lake Campsite, Brown Canyon, 3 Forks and Crook Creek sites within the National Forest's Mad River Ranger District.

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