Los Padres National Forest announces more fire restrictions
SOLVANG, Calif. - Additional fire restrictions are being put in place in the Los Padres National Forest due to severe fire danger.
The restrictions go into place on Thursday and will be rigorously enforced through the end of the declared fire season.
This means wood and charcoal fires, even at designated campfire sites, are prohibited. Those with a valid California Campfire Permit will be allowed to user portable stoves, lanterns that use gas or pressurized liquid fuel within designated campfire sites.
Smoking outdoors is also prohibited throughout the forest and recreational target shooting remains off limits except in two specified shooting ranges – Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club. Licensed hunters are exempt from these shooting restrictions.
Housing and Development Newsletter
» Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest except in the two shooting ranges under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club. However, hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.
» Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.
» Fireworks are prohibited at all times and in all locations within Los Padres National Forest.
» Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. This restriction is in effect year-round.
Recreational shooting remains banned at Los Padres National Forest for another 6 months
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. - Los Padres National Forest officials announced they are once again extending the ban on recreational shooting, this time until January 31, 2022.
Officials said the ban is being extended in order to protect the public during high fire danger conditions. They said wildfires can be sparked by both firearms or their discharged projectiles.
With very little winter rainfall, forest workers said the moisture levels in the forest have not rebounded enough to be considered safe for shooting. Vegetation remains dry and is considered near critical levels. Predictive weather forecast also indicate offshore wind events that are expected to further reduce moisture levels.
Housing and Development Newsletter
· Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
· Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
· Fireworks – even the “safe and sane” variety – are not permitted at any time or in any location within the forest.
· Recreational target shooting remains prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except for the two areas under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club.