Map of developed recreation sites and fire safe sites within the Six Rivers National Forest. Courtesy of the National Forest Service

Fire use restrictions took effect for the Klamath National Forest on Wednesday and will go into effect for the Six Rivers National Forest on Thursday.

From a National Forest Service news release:

Eureka, Calif., June 30, 2021— Fire-use restrictions went into effect for the Klamath at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The same restrictions go into effect for the Six Rivers National Forest at 12 a.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021. In addition to being adjoining forests, the two forests also jointly manage the Ukonom Ranger District, portions of the Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains, and Siskiyou Wildernesses. These restrictions are designed to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildland fires to these outstanding natural resources and recreational opportunities.

While lightning is the number one cause of fires within the national forests, human-caused fires are a major concern.  Human-caused fires, which range from escaped campfires, careless smokers, equipment use, vehicle exhaust, catalytic converters, or children playing with matches, are preventable.

Some of the fire restrictions in effect for the two national forests are:

•         Campfires are only allowed in open developed campgrounds (no permit required), designated fire-safe sites, and within wilderness areas. However, campfires are never permitted in the Caribou Lake basin in the Trinity Alps Wilderness or in the Devil’s Punchbowl basin in the Siskiyou Wilderness.

•         Outside of developed recreation sites, forest visitors with a free valid California campfire permit will still be able to use pressurized liquid or gas stoves, grills or lanterns with shut-off valves, in an area at least five feet from any flammable materials. The free campfire permit is required for fire in designated fire-safe sites and in wilderness areas except where excluded above.  Permits may be obtained at any forest office or online at www.preventwildfireca.org/campfires/.

•         Barbecue grills using briquettes are not allowed.

•         Limit smoking to enclosed vehicles or buildings, within developed recreation sites, within designated fire-safe sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

•         Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within developed recreation sites is prohibited.

•         For complete list of fire restrictions and map for the Klamath National Forest, visit website link to order 21-05-11.

•         For a complete list of fire restrictions and map for the Six Rivers National Forest, visit website link to order 21-10-06.  Exhibits A (Fire Restrictions with list of Developed Recreation Sites and Designated Fire Safe Sites) and B (Fire Restrictions Map of Exhibit A sites) are enclosed with this news release.

Fire officials want to remind visitors to leave their fireworks at home this Independence Day. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest System lands, regardless of weather or fire restrictions.

Similar restrictions are also in effect on the neighboring public lands such as Shasta-Trinity, Lassen, Mendocino, and Modoc National Forests. Since restrictions can vary by ownership, visitors should contact the area they plan to visit for specific fire restrictions and conditions.

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