Starting Saturday, June 29, the Forest Service will be implementing Level 2 fire restrictions across the entire Los Padres National Forest. These restrictions ban the use of campfires outside of designated Campfire Use Sites (developed campgrounds). Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted anywhere, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit. You can obtain a free permit here.
Additionally, smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle or Campfire Use Site is prohibited. Permit burning is also prohibited. Fireworks are also banned throughout the Los Padres National Forest year-round. Lastly, target shooting is still prohibited throughout the entire national forest except at the Ojai Valley Gun Club and Winchester Canyon Gun Club shooting ranges.
Click here for a list of Campfire Use Sites in the Los Padres National Forest. A campfire is allowed at these sites year-round, except during Level 4 and 5 Restrictions (see below).
About Fire Restrictions
The Forest Service has the ability to implement Level 1 through Level 5 fire restrictions in part or all of the national forest based on several criteria.
Level 1 Restrictions
This level is what is typically implemented between November and May due to winter rains and consequently average vegetation moisture content in our region. Under these restrictions, campfires are allowed anywhere in the national forest, but campfire permits are needed for those constructed outside of a designated Campfire Use Site (think fire rings at developed campgrounds). There are some other minor restrictions that are still in effect even at this lowest level, including no fireworks year-round and use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on roads and trails only.
Level 2 Restrictions
Once the vegetation moisture content (referred to as the Live Fuel Moisture by the Forest Service) drops below 80% and the Burning Index reaches 90 or greater for three consecutive days with an upward trend, the Forest Service will implement Level 2 Restrictions for the entire national forest. Under these restrictions, wood or charcoal fires may only be built in designated Campfire Use Sites, smoking can only occur within an enclosed vehicle or designated Campfire Use Site, and permit burning is prohibited. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel can also be used outside of Campfire Use Sites, but you must obtain a campfire permit. These restrictions are very common for the Los Padres National Forest during high fire season.
Level 3 Restrictions
If the vegetation moisture content hits 65% or below, then the Forest Service will look at several factors to determine whether to implement Level 3 Restrictions. These factors include high public use events (e.g. hunting season), major fire activity in the rest of the state, availability of fire personnel, Red Flag conditions, decisions by other agencies and forests, drought conditions, abnormal or severe fire behavior occurrence, predicted lightning activity, and more. If the Forest Service decides to implement Level 3 Restrictions across the forest, then target shooting is prohibited throughout the forest except at areas with Special Use Permits or Private Gun Clubs (e.g. Winchester Canyon Gun Club). Smoking is also prohibited except in vehicles, buildings, and at approved Campfire Use Sites. The Forest Service and any contractors conducting work within the national forest must mitigate activities that have a high potential for fire ignition. Campfire restrictions are the same as Level 2.
Level 4 Restrictions
The vegetation moisture content just needs to dip to 60% or below for the Forest Service to begin considering several factors in deciding whether to implement Level 4 Restrictions. These factors include the ability of the agency to enforce the closure (particularly the personnel availability), whether other fires are occurring, public sentiment, adjacent forest closures or fires, historical fire statistics, and more. If the agency implements these restrictions, all campfires are prohibited on all national forest land, including at designated Campfire Use Sites. The agency may also close high-risk, backcountry, or wilderness areas in the national forest. All other Level 1-3 Restrictions are still in effect.
Level 5 Restrictions
If major fires are occurring within the Los Padres National Forest, the Forest Service may consider closing a portion of or the entire national forest. Most recently, the agency implemented these restrictions during the Thomas Fire when all of the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos Ranger Districts were closed to public access.
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