Regional and Forest Orders

Forest and Regional orders are generally temporary in nature and are listed under 36 CFR 261 Subpart B. They are designed to protect public safety and our natural resource. After review, Regional Foresters or Forest Supervisors sign the order, enacting it until its expiration date or until superseded by another order or terminated early. A copy of the order is then located at the District Office and Forest Supervisor’s Office in which they apply. The prohibition is displayed in such locations and manner as to reasonably bring the prohibition to the attention of the public. A violation of these orders is a federal crime, punishable up to $5000 and/or six months in jail.

Some of the reasons for the implementation of such orders are to protect public safety, prevent resource damage, protect wildlife populations and many other reasons. Forest orders may prohibit a specific activity or impose permit requirements. Some examples of permits that may be required are hiking, camping or burning permits.

Below is a listing of current Forest Orders which have been implemented. Please check with the local Ranger Station to check the specifics of the restriction.

For a list of up to date Forest Orders, call the Forest Supervisor's Office (909) 382-2600.

Upcoming Orders

An order detailing seasonal road closures is pending as of May 10, 2024.

Forest Orders

Regional Orders

Definitions of Vocabulary in Forest Regulations

These regulations have been made by the Secretary of Agriculture to assure the enjoyment of recreation in the National Forests. They are common-sense rules meant to control actions that cause damage to natural resources and facilities, as well as actions that cause unreasonable disturbances for National Forest visitors.

The Secretary of Agriculture's regulations (36 CFR 261) provide in part for regulating the occupancy and use of developed recreation sites. A violation of these regulations is subject to a penalty of not more than $5,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or both.

The following definitions, which appear in 36 CFR 261.2, apply to all regulations quoted in this publication:

Campfire means fire, not within any building, mobile home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle, which is used for cooking, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or esthetic purposes.

Fire includes a campfire.

Camping means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure.

Camping equipment means the personal property used in or suitable for camping, and includes any vehicle used for transportation and all equipment in possession of a person camping. Food and beverages are not considered camping equipment.

Damaging means to injure, mutilate, deface, destroy, cut, chop, girdle, dig, excavate, kill, or in any way harm or disturb.

Developed recreation site means an area that has been improved or developed for recreation.

Forest development road means a road wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving a part of the National Forest System and which has been included in the Forest Development Road System Plan.

Forest development trail means a trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving a part of the National Forest System and which has been included in the Forest Development Trail System Plan.

Forest Officer means an employee of the Forest Service.

Person means natural person, corporation, company, partnership, trust, firm, or association of persons.

Permission" means oral authorization by a Forest Officer.

"Permit" means authorization in writing by a Forest Officer.

State Law means the law of any State in whose exterior boundaries an act or omission occurs regardless of whether State law is otherwise applicable.

Stove fire means a campfire built inside an enclosed stove or grill, a portable brazier, or a pressurized liquid or gas stove, including a space-heating device.