CONTACT:
Andrew Madsen, USFS
(805) 961-5759
Alan Peters, CAL FIRE
(805) 543-4244
RELEASE DATE:
December 14, 2014
Transition out of Fire Season
San Luis Obispo County – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing CAL FIRE’s San Luis Obispo Unit to transition out of fire season effective Monday, December 15, 2014, at 8 a.m.
“While we will not know if this winter will finally bring us out of this long drought, we welcome the last few wetting storms so we can take a breath from a fire season that extended from April of 2013 until now,” stated Chief Robert Lewin, CAL FIRE’s San Luis Obispo Unit Chief.
As drought conditions continue to have a hold on California, CAL FIRE is maintaining staffing that meets the current threat, as well as strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. CAL FIRE will also continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires in other areas of the State.
The 2014 fire season has been an extremely active year. Statewide CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 5,500 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 91,000 acres. This number is over 1,000 more wildfires this year than normal.
For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit http://www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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GOLETA, CA – Rain across Los Padres National Forest has provided sufficient moisture levels to transition out of High Fire Season and reduce fire restrictions on the forest effective immediately.
Under the reduced fire restrictions, campfires and charcoal barbeques will be allowed in all areas of Los Padres National Forest. A California Campfire Permit is required to build a campfire outside of a designated Campfire Use Site. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). A list of Campfire Use Sites is available at all Los Padres National Forest offices.
Visitors who construct wood or charcoal fires outside of designated Campfire Use Sites also must clear all flammable material for a minimum of five feet in all directions; have a shovel available for preparing and extinguishing the fire; have a responsible person in attendance at all times; and extinguish the fire with water, using the “drown, stir and feel” method.
Prohibitions on smoking and target shooting in Los Padres National Forest are also being lifted.
“As we move into low fire season and reduce fire restrictions, it’s important to remember that fire can happen at any time of the year,” said Los Padres National Forest Fire Chief Carrie Landon. “I strongly encourage all visitors to exercise caution while they are enjoying the forest.”
The following fire restrictions will remain in effect:
· Spark arresters are required on all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion engines and equipment;
· A permit is required for all welding, grinding, cutting, or use of explosives;
· Tracer ammunition is prohibited at all times;
· Fireworks are prohibited in Los Padres National Forest at all times and in all places.
Visitors are encouraged to call the local Ranger Station for more information on conditions and restrictions.
Santa Barbara Ranger District – (805) 967-3481
Ojai Ranger District – (805) 646-4348
Mt. Pinos Ranger District – (661) 245-3731
Monterey Ranger District – (831) 385-5434
Santa Lucia Ranger District – (805) 925-9538
