Whether hiking in the backcountry or touring along a road, travel in the mountains poses certain risks. Here you'll find the conditions you may expect and what you need to know before you go...
Road Conditions
Giant Sequoia National Monument (north) and Hume Lake Ranger District
Search highway 180 at Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) here.
Find current conditions through Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park here.
Weather Conditions
Regional
Current weather conditions from the National Weather Service forecast office at San Joaquin Valley/Hanford, California station here.
Local
Giant Sequoia National Monument (north) and Hume Lake Ranger District
As of July 26, 2016, and until further notice, the following fire restrictions are in effect:
Campfires or charcoal fires are NOT allowed within the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. The Forest Order banning campfire and charcoal fires is available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/2016 Fire Restrictions.
Stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves that use pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane will be allowed if the operator possesses a valid California Campfire Permit. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when in use.
Smoking will be confined to enclosed vehicles or buildings, and other designated areas as listed in the ranger district exhibits. The ranger district exhibits are available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/2016 Fire Restrictions.
Operating an internal combustion engine except on a properly designated National Forest System roads, trails or in designated areas as listed in the ranger district exhibits.
Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is not permitted.
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or incarceration for not more than six months, or both.
This link from the National Weather Service provides live web camera views from several peaks located in Sequoia National Forest and surrounding areas.
§ 261.56 Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads.
§ 261.57 National Forest wilderness.
§ 261.58 Occupancy and use.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Regulations
The U.S. Forest Service enforces California Vehicle Codes (CVC) pertaining to OHV operations on Forest Service roads and trails. To view state regulations regarding OHV, click here.
July 15, 2016 -In the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, this declaration includes all forestlands located in Tulare, Fresno and Kern counties.
Stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves that use pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane will be allowed if the operator possesses a valid California Campfire Permit.
In an effort to reduce the unusual volume of debris laying on the ground, which creates a fire hazard, the Forest Service is offering free wood permits for the rest of the summer. “As most people are aware, the combination of drought and insects have caused heavy tree mortality across the Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott. “The personal use wood cutting program is one means for reducing the hazardous material on the ground, and we want to make that program as productive as possible.” Permits and location maps are available at the Hume Lake, Western Divide, Kern River Ranger stations, Lake Isabella Office and the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Porterville.
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