Inyo National Forest bans all campfires

Joins all other land managers in Eastern Sierra; no campfires allowed anywhere

Due to increased fire activity throughout California and the northwest, demand for firefighting resources, to protect natural resources and provide for public safety, the Inyo National Forest has now banned ALL

CAMPFIRES on Forest Service lands, joining all the major land management agencies in the Eastern Sierra in doing so.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County have also banned all campfires on private or county land and the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, located north of Conway Summit, has also banned all campfires.

The move to ban campfires on the Inyo National Forest, which were only allowed in developed campgrounds in developed fire rings anyhow, was welcome by local officials who have been asking the forest to bring its

campfire regulations into sync with the rest of the land managers.

“This was the right thing to do,” said Dan Holler, Mammoth Lakes Town Manager.

“Every effort to reduce the potential for new fire starts helps our firefighters, who are working under extreme conditions,” Inyo officials said in a news release this week.

“Demand for firefighting resources continues to be significant.,” said Lesley Yen, Forest Supervisor.” “Do your part and be part of the solution to prevent unwanted fire here on the Inyo and in California this very difficult fire year. Protect our communities, our firefighters, and our beautiful forests from unwanted fires.”

Here are the details of the forest order:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.

Visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit (accessible online at https:// www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/) are not exempt from the prohibitions contained in this Order. However, they may use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in

an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. • Motorcycles, ATVS, and chainsaws require an approved spark arrestor. • Fuelwood collection must be done in compliance with the terms of the fuelwood

permit.

Resorts, pack stations, recreation residences and other sites operated under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service may be exempt from the special orders, as long as any fire activity is conducted in compliance with their permit and only at the site of their permit.

Exceptions:

• People who have a Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of

Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

• Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or

firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

This Order is effective from Aug. 24 through Dec. 31 and may be rescinded when conditions warrant.