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Fire Danger Downgrade to ‘Very High’ at the Angeles National Forest
What does this mean to you?
- Campfires are only allowed at developed campgrounds in USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings and Klamath stoves. Klamath stoves look like wood-burning fireplaces that can be used for cooking or to generate warmth. Campfires require a valid California Campfire Permit. Get your campfire permit online.
- Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed only in USDA Forest Service-provided grills in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
- Visitors may bring gas grills (-no charcoal grills) for use only in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. All combustible (burnable) material must be removed five feet from the base of the grill.
- Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as "backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel may be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
- Users of portable lanterns and stoves (backpacker stoves) must possess a valid California Campfire Permit and be in compliance with permit conditions. Get a campfire permit online.
- Shooting of firearms or air guns (e.g., BB guns, pellet guns) is only allowed in designated shooting areas, except by hunters during legal hunting seasons. In addition, shooting of tracer, armor piercing, steel core, or Teflon ammunition is not allowed.
- Welding, grinding, cutting, and the use of explosives is only allowed with a proper permit.
- Remember, fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on public lands — every forest, every campsite, every day. This includes sparklers.
A violation of the law can result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs of suppressing the fire.
Alert Start Date: March 14th, 2025
Alert End Date: March 1st, 2026
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 05-01-25-08
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This Order is effective from March 14, 2025, through March 1, 2026.
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal fire outside of a developed recreation site. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting ranges listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.
- Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified by the laws of the State of California, and possessing a valid California hunting license, may discharge a firearm at a legal game bird or mammal.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.