Crime & Safety

Fire Dangers in San Bernardino Nat'l Forest: 1,000+ Sq. Miles in 2 Counties

Warning issued Tuesday afternoon by forest officials for a mountain and desert area from Mt. Baldy on the L.A. County line and Cucamonga Peak to both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass, and southeast into the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Increasing fire dangers in the San Bernardino National Forest, a region stretching across more than 1,000 square miles, four mountain ranges and two Southern California counties, prompted federal officials to issue a warning Tuesday.

"As we head into hotter and drier conditions, we ask the public's cooperation helping us prevent destructive wildfires," SBNF Fire Chief Shauna Legarza said in a prepared statement. "We want visitors to enjoy their public lands, but use common sense in the process."

Hot weather and lower fuel moistures mean increased fire restrictions, effective Thursday, Sept. 1, forest officials said.

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The San Bernardino National Forest covers a mountain and desert area from Mt. Baldy on the L.A. County line and Cucamonga Peak to both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass, and southeast into the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Most fires in this vast forest area are human-caused, and increased restrictions are designed to reduce wildland fires, according to the Forest Service.

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Rangers will be "aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions," the Forest Service advised. "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."

Anyone found liable for causing a wildfire may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur, the Forest Service advised.

Fire restrictions and guidelines effective Sept. 1 in the San Bernardino National Forest include:

· Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and 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 on the San Bernardino National Forest.

Travelers through the forest should always remain on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, officials advised.

The San Bernardino National Forest is comprised of three Ranger Districts spanning 676,666 acres - or 1,057 square miles - in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

A pdf map of the forest is attached to this report.

From desert floors to mountain peaks, the San Bernardino National Forest offers natural environments, protected wilderness areas, developed campgrounds, picnic sites and recreation opportunities for 24 million Southern California residents and visitors, according to the Forest Service.

The forest environment provides habitat for numerous plants and animals, and is crucial in sustaining drinking water, air, and soil quality. Learn more at http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf

The Forest Service urged visitors to call ahead and check local conditions and restrictions at the following offices and ranger stations:

San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office

602 S. Tippecanoe Ave.,  San Bernardino (909) 382-2600

Lytle Creek Ranger Station

1209 Lytle Creek Road, Lytle Creek (909) 382-2851

Arrowhead Ranger Station

28104 State Highway 18, Skyforest (909) 382-2782

Big Bear Ranger Station and Discovery Center

41397 North Shore Drive / Highway 38, Fawnskin (909) 382-2790

Mill Creek Ranger Station

34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone (909) 382-2881

Idyllwild Ranger Station

54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild (909) 382-2922

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

51500 Highway 74 Palm Desert (760) 862-9984


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