Elevated Fire Restrictions
Elevated Fire Restrictions are restrictions that are placed into effect when fire danger increases on the Forest due to the current weather conditions and elevated fire danger indices on the Forest.
1. Fireworks are never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest.
2. Spark arresters are required for all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion equipment.
3. Welding, grinding, cutting, the use of explosives, and other activities requiring a special use authorization may be restricted.
4. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed except in identified developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas within designated fire rings.
a. Identified campground and picnic areas where wood or charcoal fires are allowed:
i. Descanso Ranger District
- Burnt Rancheria Campground
- El Prado Group Site
- Horse Heaven Group Site
- Laguna Campground
- Wooded Hill Group Site
- Boulder Oaks Campground
- Cibbets Flats Campground
- Desert View Picnic Area
- Pioneer Mail Picnic Area
ii. On the Palomar Ranger District
- Crestline Group Site
- Fry Creek Campground
- Oak Grove Campground
- Observatory Campground
- Dripping Springs Campground
- Indian Flats Campground
- San Luis Rey Picnic Area (no campfires/grills only)
- Inaja Memorial Picnic Area (no campfires/grills only)
iii. On the Trabuco Ranger District
1. All campground and picnic areas are open except for the Wildomar Campground, when the Wildomar Off-road Vehicle (OHV) area is closed.
5. The use of gas and liquid stoves and lanterns, and jelly petroleum stoves are allowed in all areas of the Cleveland National Forest except for the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness on the Trabuco Ranger District.
6. Discharge of firearms is prohibited on the Forest except for the purpose of hunting during the designated hunting season as established by the California Department of Fish and Game.
7. Target shooting is not allowed on the Forest.
8. Discharging a firearm using the following ammunition is never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest, this includes hunting seasons: steel core ammunition, armor piercing ammunition, and tracer ammunition.
9. Smoking is prohibited within the Forest boundary, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or within a Developed Recreation Site.
Fire Restrictions - Frequently Asked Questions