Public Affairs Officer: Lisa Cox
(760) 873-2427
[email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo

Stage I Fire Restrictions begin June 16 on Inyo National Forest

BISHOP, Calif., June 12, 2025 — Inyo National Forest will be in Stage I Fire Restrictions starting Monday, June 16 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:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal briquettes except in the Developed Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. 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).
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with 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.
2. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions contained in this Order. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit, however, may use a portable stove or lantern that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized gas (LPG) fluids, and is outfitted with a fuel shut off valve.
3. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
4. Persons with a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service for a recreation residence in one of the residence tracts listed in Exhibit B are exempt from Prohibition No. 1 while they are at their recreation residence, provided that the activity is done in compliance with the terms of the permit.
5. Persons with a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service for an organization camp, pack station, range permittee, or resort listed in Exhibit B are exempt from Prohibition No.1 while at their organization camp or resort, provided that the activity is done in compliance with the terms of the permit.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A 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. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

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/r05/inyo/alerts

For more information on what fire restrictions are, Fire Danger Levels, Project Activity Levels, and more, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/fire/info/fire-restrictions

For fire restrictions on Bureau of Land Management lands on the Central California District, visit: www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-announces-seasonal-fire-restrictions-eastern-sierra

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