Fire Restrictions Implemented on Six Rivers National Forest

Press release from the Six Rivers National Forest:

Six Rivers National Forest Service sign on Hwy 36. [Photo by : Levi Loria/ USFS]

The Six Rivers National Forest is implementing level 1 fire restrictions beginning Monday, July 21, 2025. Restrictions going into effect cover a range of potential fire igniting activities such as building and maintaining campfires in certain areas, smoking, operating spark causing equipment, and other tools. Restrictions are expected to lift on November 1, 2025, conditions permitting.

The implementation of fire restrictions is prompted by an increase in human caused ignitions over the past month, as well as an increased threat of lightning during that same time resulting in numerous natural caused ignitions. The intensifying Orleans Complex Fire has required an increased number of firefighting resources, drawing down the number of available resources to respond to any new fires that may arise. Additionally, vegetation or “fuels”, throughout the forest are extremely dry with fuel moisture levels currently at historic lows, increasing the possibility of new fire starts.

Level 1 fire restrictions include:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in Wilderness areas, Designated Fire Safe Sites, or within stoves, charcoal grills or fire rings provided in the Developed Recreation Sites. No permit required.

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 any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.

Welding, or operating an acetylene torch or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.

Outside of the designated developed recreation sites, forest visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit will still be able to 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 www.preventwildfireca.org/campfires/.

For more information on restrictions and ongoing fire operations visit the forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sixrivers/alerts

You can help firefighters by following fire restrictions and utilizing caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Persistently high temperatures will keep fuels dry and increase potential

fire danger. If you choose to have a campfire within an allowed location, follow these safety tips to prevent starting a wildfire:

• Only use developed fire rings.

• Clear all flammable materials from the ground for five feet in all directions from the edge of the fire and make sure it is located away from overhanging limbs.

• Have a shovel and water nearby.

• Keep your campfire small and only use dead and downed wood. Don’t cut live trees for

firewood.

• Make sure a responsible adult is always in attendance of a campfire. NEVER leave a campfire unattended!

• Always make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it! Drown it with plenty of water, stir well with a shovel, feel to see if it is hot, and REPEAT. If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot to leave.

Finally, remain alert. If you observe any suspected new wildfires, report them by calling 911. Remember- “Spark Safety, Not Wildfires”.