Fire Management

Report Fires Immediately, dial 911!

The Cleveland National Forest, in conjunction with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Bureau of Land Management, and numerous other state, county, and local fire control organizations, maintains a constant state of readiness in an effort to keep fire related damage to a minimum.

Fire Danger Ratings

Fire Restrictions

The Cleveland National Forest has implemented a two level Fire Restriction System for residents and visitors. General Fire Restrictions are in effect on a year-round basis. As burning conditions become more severe, the Forest will implement Elevated Fire Restrictions. Fire Restriction FAQs

Prescribed Fires

The Cleveland conducts prescribed burns during the winter and spring season, and is often complete late May before the start of the fire season. Prescribed burns are very beneficial to the ecosystem - it enhances forest health, clears away competing or invasive plants, and allows regrowth of new plants to occur in rich soil. Additionally, it provides for community protection by reducing fire intensity and slowing the spread of wildfires. It is a large part of the fire program and an important step in managing the land. 

When prescribed burns are in season (Typically late November through May), updates can be found on the Cleveland social media pages X and Facebook. Want to know what we have in store for the season? Check out our district-specific burn plans for Trabuco, Descanso, and Palomar. 

Do you want to become a wildland firefighter?

The Cleveland National Forest participates in the agency-wide hiring process to hire seasonal and permanent wildland firefighters. Please visit the employment page for job openings and availability.

Quick Links

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InciWeb - Incident Information System

Smokey Kids

Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

Features

Being Ready—Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire is Coming ... Are You Ready?

It takes the combination of both Defensible space and the hardening of your home to really give your house the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

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National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy

A strategic push to work collaboratively among all stakeholders and across all landscapes.

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