Big Bear, Ca, January 13, 2012, 4:00pm – The US Forest Service has elevated the fire danger level to very high due to the dry, warm weather the San Bernardino County and other areas have been experiencing. Fire Danger increases with the unseasonable warmer, drier weather along with persistent Santa Ana wind conditions. Fire officials are closely monitoring the weather and fuel conditions, adjusting staffing levels, and increasing or lowering fire use restrictions as deemed necessary. The following fire restrictions and guidelines are now in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest areas: Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves. Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites. Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting. An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles. Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site. And as always, fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the Big Bear Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions at (909) 382-2790
