Fire
Year round we work to reduce the risks severe wildfires pose to people, communities, firefighter safety and the environment through programs aimed at prevention, preparedness and fuels reduction. Our firefighting staff is one of the largest federal firefighting forces in the country and we value our strong partnerships with our local, state, and federal fire partners.
Our combined efforts are important to the long-term health of the land with its unique biological and water resources. We encourage all citizens to better understand this precious natural environment and how to protect it and keep ourselves safe.
The world of fire suppression is changing. Fire seasons are longer and fire behavior often more extreme. The primary reasons for these changes are weather, wood (abundance of fuels) and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) (structures and communities adjacent and within the forest boundary).
Fire Stuff
The Daily Burn Status affects outdoor project activity and woodcutting in National Forests. Contractors and woodcutters should monitor the Project Activity and Sale Activity levels daily before conducting outdoor operations.
In a normal year, typical fire restrictions will allow only gas stoves and lanterns. Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds. Note: in Desolation Wilderness and some areas of the Mokelumne Wilderness only gas equipment is allowed (year round restriction). During a bad fire year, fire restrictions will be more restrictive depending on forest conditions.
- No Fire Restrictions: Wood, charcoal, and gas fires are allowed in the general forest and some remote campgrounds when in possession of a valid Campfire Permit. The Campfire Permit is not needed in developed campgrounds generally. Check for specific wilderness restrictions.
- Stage 1: Wood fires (campfires) and charcoal fires (barbeques) are allowed only in designated developed campgrounds on this forest. Gas stoves and lanterns can be used in the general forest when in possession of a valid Campfire Permit. Note: additional restrictions on smoking, welding, and operating internal/external combustion engines without a spark arrestor. Check the forest order for details.
- Stage 2: No Fires are allowed in the forest including the campgrounds. Gas stoves and lanterns can be used in the forest only when in possession of a valid Campfire Permit. Note: additional restrictions on smoking, welding, and operating internal/external combustion engines without a spark arrestor. Check the forest order for details.
TERMS OF THE PERMIT
Permittee agrees to the following:
- Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire. Meadows make poor campsite locations as you will destroy sections of the meadow with the campfire and the clearance.
- Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times. Leave the permit with that person and make sure they are aware of the terms of the permit.
- Extinguish campfire with water, using the drown, stir, and feel method. If it is to hot to touch than the fire is not out and can re-ignite.
Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread. After drought conditions, when humidity is very low, and especially when there are high or erratic winds which may include lightning as a factor, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies. Agencies will alter their staffing and equipment resources dramatically to accommodate the forecast risk.
- NWS Red Flag Warning Webpage
- On the Eldorado, a Red Flag Warning means very high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours.
- Use of campfires, even within approved areas and outdoor burn bans may be implemented.
Extreme Red Flag Warning (PDS)
Extreme Red Flag Warnings or Particularly Dangerous Situations (PDS) may also be issued by the NWS. In 2019, the NWS introduced an enhanced version of Red Flag Warnings, called Extreme Red Flag Warning. Analogous to the PDS wording on a high-end severe weather watch, this means that conditions for fire growth and behavior are extremely dangerous due to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, long duration, and very dry fuels.
- Extreme Red Flag Warnings or PDS indicate imminent danger and should be taken seriously. Communities should have a plan in place and be prepared to evacuate should a wildfire ignite.
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watches are issued by the NWS to alert fire and land management agencies to the possibility that Red Flag conditions may exist beyond the first forecast period (12 hours). Fire Weather Watches are generally issued 12 to 48 hours in advance of the expected conditions and may be issued up to 72 hours in advance if the NWS agency is reasonably confident. The term “Fire Weather Watch” is headlined in the routine forecast and issued as a product, similar to other primary fire warning terms. That watch then remains in effect until it expires, is canceled, or upgraded to a Red Flag Warning.
Trace smoke to its sources and learn more about air quality advisories near you:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a nationwide map showing fires, smoke, and air quality monitoring stations: fire.airnow.gov
- California Smoke Blog offers local advisories: californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com
How to Prepare for Smoke
Did you know that there are steps you can take to prepare for smoke, just as you would for a fire?
- Are you Smoke Ready?
- View the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips on how to prepare for wildfire smoke season
During a Smoke Event
Learn what to do to protect yourself DURING a smoke event:
- Find out health concerns and tips from the CDC
- Get information about indoor air filtration, as well as more on protecting your stock and pets, from the EPA: www.airnow.gov/fires
After a Fire or Smoke Event
Watch out for air quality hazards that remain after a fire:
Smoke 101
While fire can provide many benefits such as reducing fuels and renewing forests, smoke from fires poses a serious challenge to public health, land managers, and air quality regulators. So, can we reduce these challenges?
The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is a system that allows fire managers to estimate today's or tomorrow's fire danger for a given area. Managers use NFDRS to input data and to receive information used to determine fire danger in their area. Based on the fire danger, managers may impose restrictions or closures to public lands, plan for or pre-position staff and equipment to fight new fires, and make decisions whether to suppress or allow fires to burn under prescribed conditions.
Understanding Fire and Communities
Fire ecology is a branch of ecology that concentrates on the origins of wildland fire and its relationship to the living and nonliving environment. Fire is a natural process operating as a component of an ecosystem.
What do you think of when you hear the words "wildland fire"? If you are like most people, these words conjure up images of charred and barren land, a scene of devastation. But did you know that fire is a natural and essential part of California's ecosystems?
Wildfires do not stop at property boundaries. More than 70,000 communities and 44 million homes are at risk from wildfire in the wildland urban interface (WUI) – where vegetative fuels and the built environment meet. Over the last ten years, more than 35,000 structures were destroyed by wildfires – an average of 3,500 a year.
Pre-fire risk reduction, on a variety of fronts, can help communities adapt to wildfire. Fire adaptation means communities take mitigation actions so they can live with wildfire without harm and without extensive wildfire suppression efforts. The U.S. Forest Service developed, supports, and promotes community fire adaptation.
A key component of community fire adaptation is that there isn’t one silver bullet that reduces risk; there are many tools that, when used together and strategically, reduce risk. And it’s not the responsibility of one agency or group to mitigate; it’s the responsibility of everyone who lives and works in the community. Fire adaptation happens when local multi-jurisdictional stakeholders work together to identify risk, mitigate it, and maintain the work over time. This includes homeowners, land managers, firefighters, business owners and community leaders. Collaboration and relationships are key to improving fire safety.
Wildfire Risk to Communities is a free, easy-to-use website with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk.
Take Responsibility
- Campfire Permits are required.
- Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire.
- Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
- Extinguish campfire with water, using the drown, stir and feel method.
Visit the California Campfire Permit page at www.preventwildfiresca.org for information on how to obtain a campfire permit online! You must be 18 years of age or older to sign the permit.
Take Responsibility... It is your responsibility to know the current conditions and restrictions for the area you intend to visit.
Smoldering cigarettes can start fires hours after being dropped or thrown away. Never toss cigarettes out of cars.
Fireworks are not allowed anywhere on the National Forest. Call 911 if you see anyone lighting fireworks in the forest.
All OHV's must have a California green sticker or be street legal. All vehicles must be equipped with a Forest Service approved spark arrester.
Parking in tall grass or shrubs can start fires because the hot catalytic converter comes in contact with the dry plant materials. Dry, windy conditions can turn smoldering grass into a wall of flames. Don't park where vegetation is touching the underside of your vehicle. Motorcycles and ATV's must have approved working spark arresters.
Dragging tow chains cause sparks which can start a wildfire. Double check your connections to your trailer before you move your vehicle.
In California, the number of homes and businesses are growing in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) – and fire is an increasing threat. Reduce your home's fire danger and prevent wildfires from spreading by taking responsibility today.