Mendocino Co.: Mendocino National Forest Issues Fire Restrictions

Bay City News

Officials with the Mendocino National Forest announced Tuesday that they would issue fire restrictions throughout the forest effective Wednesday due to increased wildfire risk.

According to Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Coots, the "risk of wildland fire is increasing with gusty winds and rapidly drying forest fuels. These restrictions are designed to minimize the chances of human-caused fires in undeveloped areas of the forest."

The fire restriction prohibits the following:

-Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire

-Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or within the designated recreation sites

-Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest system roads or trails

-Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame

-Using an explosive

-Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device

Campfires and stoves may be used in designated fire-safe campgrounds with a valid California Campfire Permit. Permits can be purchased at readyforwildfire.org.

More information about the fire restrictions and Mendocino National Forest closures and conditions is available at fs.usda.gov/mendocino.

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