Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

Forest Order No. 05-15-00-26-09
USDA Forest Service
Sierra National Forest

Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within those portions of the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas that are located within the Sierra National Forest, as listed in Exhibit A.  This Order is effective from August 7, 2026, through December 31, 2027. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire above an elevation of 10,400 feet, south of the elevation boundary line, and above an elevation of 10,000 feet, north of the elevation boundary line.  The elevation boundary line begins at Mt. Henry, then continues due west along the ridgeline to Hot Springs Pass, then continues northwest along the ridgeline to its intersection with the western boundary of the John Muir Wilderness, as shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
    
2. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire in the areas described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibits B through O. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

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 a valid Wilderness Permit or California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid Wilderness Permit or California Campfire Permit issued by the Forest Service may use a portable lantern or stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel on the Sierra National Forest.

This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of this prohibition 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.

Executed in Clovis, California, on August 6, 2026.

DEAN A. GOULD
Forest Supervisor
Sierra National Forest

Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

Exhibit A

ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS: 

1. Within ¼ mile of Sadler Lake, as shown on Exhibit C.
   1. Within ¼ mile of Rutherford Lake, as shown on Exhibit D.
       
   2. Within ¼ mile of Lower Staniford Lake, as shown on Exhibit E.
       
   3. Within ¼ mile of Vanderburgh Lake, as shown on Exhibit E.
       
   4. Within ¼ mile of Lady Lake, as shown on Exhibit E.
       
   5. Within ¼ mile of Chittenden Lake, as shown on Exhibit E.
       
   6. Within ¼ mile of Upper and Lower Jackass Lakes, as shown on 
      Exhibit F.                                             

JOHN MUIR WILDERNESS:

2. In the Margaret Lakes area, the Margaret Lakes Basin about 9,600 feet elevation, including Baby, Bathtub. Big Margaret, Coyote, Fern, Frog, and Rainbow Lakes, as shown on Exhibit G.
   1. In the Silver Divide area, within ¼ mile of Beetlebug, Olive, Peter Pande, and Wilbur May Lakes, as shown on Exhibit H.
       
   2. In the Cold Creek area, within ¼ mile of Devils Bathtub and Lower Graveyard Lake, as shown on Exhibit I.
       
   3. In the Mono Creek area, from 8,700 feet elevation in the North Fork Mono Creek drainage below Pocket Meadow upstream to the existing 10,000 feet elevation campfire closure, as shown on Exhibit J.
       
   4. In the South Fork San Joaquin area, from the southeast corner of the Muir Trail Ranch private property boundary along the South Fork of the San Joaquin River to 7,800 feet elevation including the area below 7,800 feet elevation on both sides of the river, as shown on Exhibit K.
       
   5. In the Fleming Mountain area, within ¼ mile of Fleming Lake and Rae Lake, as shown on 
      Exhibit L.
       
   6. In the Red Mountain Basin area, within ¼ mile of Disappointment Lake, Devils Punchbowl, Big Shot Lake, and Little Shot Lake, as shown on Exhibit M.
       
   7. In the Woodchuck Country area, within ¼ mile of Chimney Lake, Crown Lake, and Woodchuck Lake, as shown on Exhibit N.
       
   8. In the Blackcap Basin area, within ¼ mile of Portal Lake and Lightening Corral Meadow, as shown on Exhibit O.