Warmth, Winds Mean Fire Danger 'Very High' for San Bernardino National Forest

The unseasonably warm, dry winter so far coupled with recurring Santa Ana wind events mean fire danger is now "very high" in the 1,000-square-mile San Bernardino National Forest.

"Weather forecasts show that temperatures will continue to be slightly above normal coupled with infrequent storms and long stretches of little or no precipitation for the next few months," Forest Service officials said in a statement issued Thursday night.

Persistent arid conditions will allow grasses and lighter fuels to dry out sooner this year, increasing the potential for large fires, Forest Service officials said.

"It's so dry the cows in Riverside County are giving powdered milk," Bill Patzert, climatologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, told Banning-Beaumont Patch earlier this week.

"Yes, it's super dry. . . . Of course this can change in February and March, but with the La Niña hanging in there and the Arctic Oscillation so positive it looks like a dry winter."

Fire officials with the San Bernardino National Forest are closely monitoring weather and fuel conditions.

"During the recent wind events, firefighters responded to several fires during the evening hours, which is very unusual for this time of the year, which demonstrates how dry the fuels are," Forest Fire Chief Shawna Legarza said.

"We will continue to maintain an increased firefighter staffing level until there is a significant change in the weather," Legarza said.

Fire restrictions and guidelines effective Jan. 13 for the San Bernardino National Forest include:

- Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds, within agency-provided fire rings or camp stoves.

- Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted at Yellow Post campsites, Fisherman’s Camp, or the following Pacific Crest Trail Camps: Bench Camp, Deer Springs, Doble, Holcomb Crossing, Little Bear Springs, and Mission Springs.

- Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside 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.

- Fireworks are always prohibited in the San Bernardino National Forest.

"The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions," the statement said. "Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law.  Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire."

Forest visitors are encouraged to call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions.

Mill Creek Ranger Station in Mentone can be reached at (909) 382-2881, Idyllwild Ranger Station is at (909) 382-2922, and the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert is at (760) 862-9984.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf