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High Fire Danger Brings Restrictions On Sierra National Forest

CLOVIS – Due to fire indicators, such as temperature and fuels moisture, the Sierra National Forest is implementing fire restrictions beginning Aug. 6 and until further notice.

Restrictions are in in place in the High Hazard areas of the Sierra National Forest – from the boundary of the forest in the foothills, to 4,000 feet in elevation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Fire Restrictions Prohibit:

-Open flame fires below 4,000 feet in elevation (or where posted). Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire (except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid) outside of designated recreation sites.

-Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or a designated recreation site. Smoking while hiking, horseback riding or while riding in an open vehicle is prohibited.

-Operation of an internal combustion engine, except on a road, designated trail or by special use permit. A road is defined as a motor vehicle route over 50 inches wide. A sign or marker indicates a trail.

-Blasting or welding, except by special use permit. Please contact your local Ranger Station for more information.

-Open burning (e.g. weeds, brush and yard debris).

-Restrictions on chain saw use. Chainsaw use for firewood cutting is regulated by the Fire Danger Rating System. When fire danger levels are high, chainsaw use is restricted. Please make sure to contact the 24-hour fire weather information line at 559-346-1525. The recording is revised daily at 4:30 pm.

During fire restrictions, homeowners are cautioned to be extra careful when using gardening tools. A fire can quickly ignite when a piece of equipment hits a rock, causing sparks to fly into dry grass and vegetation. If you are working in the yard, make sure to have a water source nearby.

For more information, please contact one of our Forest Service offices: North Fork (559) 877-2218, Prather (559) 855-5355, or Clovis (559) 297-0706.

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