Fire Restrictions on Plumas National Forest Reduced to Stage I

QUINCY — Plumas National Forest officials announced Friday that fire restrictions on the forest would drop from Stage II to Stage I in time for the Labor Day Weekend. The change is due to cooler, wetter weather. Public Information Officer Tamara Schmidt emphasized, however, that the change is not “a season-ending event to fully lift fire restrictions.” “There is warm, dry weather in the forecast that will likely increase fire danger again,” she said.

Stage I Fire Restrictions allow campfires in specific designated recreation sites in established campfire rings. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building, in designated recreation sites, or in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is completely clear of all flammable material. Internal combustion engines, such as vehicles and generators, may only be used on designated roads and trails.

Anyone with a campfire at an allowed location needs to have at least a shovel and one gallon of water or a fire extinguisher. Campfires are only allowed in established campfire rings with the area at least 3 feet in diameter completely clear of all flammable material. The campfire must be contained within the campfire ring, not hanging over the edge. Campfires should never be left unattended and need to be completely out and cold to the touch before leaving.

A list of designated sites where campfires are allowed is available online from the Plumas National Forest website.

“We aren’t out of fire season yet, but conditions improved with the weather this week, especially the storm [Thursday] that brought widespread measurable rain,” said Plumas National Forest Fire Chief Martin Senter. “Fall on the Plumas National Forest can shift rapidly from cold and wet to hot, dry and windy, able to carry fire quickly, so we still need the public’s help to prevent human-caused wildfires."