Stage I Fire Restrictions begin July 1 on Inyo National Forest

BISHOP, Calif., June 27, 2024 — Inyo National Forest will be in Stage I Fire Restrictions starting Monday, July 1 to protect natural resources and provide for public safety.

Dispersed campfires on the ground will no longer be permitted. However, campfires in designated developed recreation sites and portable stoves still be allowed with a California Campfire Permit.

The following acts are prohibited within Inyo National Forest:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in Forest Service-provided campfire ring or in a standing grill within a Developed Recreation Site listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within the Developed Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(i).

Persons with a California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions above, however they may use a portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern outside of a Developed Recreation Site, at least five feet from any flammable materials, provided that the portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern only burns gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, and has a shut-off valve.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

For the official forest order including exhibits, visit the Forest Orders webpage on Inyo National Forest website under Alerts and Notices: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Inyo/ForestOrders

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