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Fire restrictions in effect on Klamath National Forest
A record-low winter snowpack coupled with hot and dry conditions have prompted the Klamath National Forest to go into fire restrictions, effective June 18, 2026.
These restrictions are designed to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildfires. Human-caused fires, which can start from escaped campfires, equipment use, parking or driving on dry grass, or careless smoking, are preventable.
Some of the fire restrictions in effect include:
- Campfires, stove fires, and barbecue grills using charcoal briquettes are only allowed in certain open developed recreation sites, such as campgrounds (no permit required). Campfires are not permitted in wilderness areas.
- Smoking is limited to inside enclosed vehicles or buildings, within developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within developed recreation sites is prohibited.
- Welding, or operating an acetylene torch or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.
- Outside of designated recreation sites, forest visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit can still use pressurized liquid or gas stoves, grills, or lanterns with shut-off valves, in an area that is cleared at least five feet of any flammable materials. Permits may be obtained at any forest office or online at https://permit.preventwildfiresca.org.
Alert Start Date: June 18, 2026
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 05-05-00-26-07
Contact Information
Contact Email: SM.FS.klamathinfo@usda.gov
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 Klamath National Forest. This Order is effective from July 21, 2026, through October 30, 2026. This Forest Order supersedes the previous Klamath National Forest Order No. 05-05-00-26-05 signed on June 18, 2026
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in the Designated Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A (36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)):
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a building, within the Developed Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
- Welding, operating an acetylene torch, or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
- Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, within the Designated Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A, or any other developed campground or recreation site. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
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 firefighting 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 Forest Service 2026 Forest Products Removal Permit (fuelwood permit) are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above, however, they may use a chainsaw to cut fuelwood, provided that the cutting is done in compliance with the terms of the Permit.
- Persons may operate a generator containing an internal combustion engine if the operator is in attendance at all times during operation, the generator is used in an area at least five feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material, and the generator is equipped with a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with Forest Service Standard 5100-1.
- Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable lantern or stove that is fueled with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel and has a shut-off valve in an area at least five feet from any flammable material.
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 $5,000 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.
EXHIBIT A
Happy Camp and Oak Knoll Ranger District
- CURLY JACK CAMPGROUND
- GRIDER CREEK CAMPGROUND
- NORCROSS TRAILHEAD
- SARAH TOTTEN CAMPGROUND
- SULPHUR SPRINGS CAMPGROUND
- BEAVER CREEK CAMPGROUND
- GROUSE GAP SHELTER
- MOUNT ASHLAND CAMPGROUND
- TREE OF HEAVEN CAMPGROUND
Salmon River & Scott River Ranger District
- CARTER MEADOWS GROUP CAMPGROUND
- HIDDEN HORSE CAMPGROUND
- IDLEWILD CAMPGROUND
- INDIAN SCOTTY CAMPGROUND
- JONES BEACH PICNIC AREA
- KANGAROO LAKE CAMPGROUND AND PICNIC AREA
- TRAIL CREEK CAMPGROUND
Goosenest Ranger District
- JUANITA LAKE DAY USE AREA, CAMPGROUND, AND GROUP SITE
- MARTIN’S DAIRY CAMPGROUND
- MARTIN’S DAIRY HORSE CAMPGROUND
- ORR LAKE CAMPGROUND
- SHAFTER CAMPGROUND