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Fire Danger Level Elevated to "Very High"
Effective July 24, 2026, fire danger levels have increased to “VERY HIGH” at the Angeles National Forest. The forest has taken this step to enhance public awareness that wildfire probability increases as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out.
Despite the change, there are no new campfire restrictions. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved “developed” campgrounds and picnic areas where a USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings or stoves are provided. Propane or jelled gas stoves and grills are permitted in non-developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit. Smoking allowed in enclosed vehicles or developed recreation sites only.
Visitors to the Angeles National Forest, including recreational cabin owners and concessioners, are advised of the following:
- All stoves and campfires require a valid California Campfire Permit. Get your campfire permit online at: permit.preventwildfiresca.org
- Campfires are allowed only 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.
- Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed in USDA Forest Service-provided grills only in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
- Visitors may only bring gas grills (no charcoal grills) and use them in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas if all combustible (burnable) material is 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 are allowed to be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. Users must possess a valid California Campfire Permit, even for use of a lantern or stove, and be in compliance with permit conditions.
- Shooting of guns is only allowed in designated shooting areas, except for 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.
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: July 24, 2026
Alert End Date: December 31, 2026
Order Number: Forest Order No. 05-01-26-12
Contact Information
Contact Name: Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office
Contact Number: (626) 574-1613
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 July 24, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal fire outside of a developed recreation site. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. 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).
3. 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:
1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Executed in Arcadia, California, this 23rd day of July.
N. Jamahl Butler
Acting Forest Supervisor
Angeles National Forest
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Saint Francis Dam National Monument