Forest restrictions continue
Due to continuing unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will extend fire restrictions on all 18 national forests in California, including the Plumas National Forest (PNF), effective today, Sept. 25.
Fire restrictions include no ignitions of any type including, but not limited to, campfires, pressurized fuel stoves and lanterns, and smoking. Contact PNF Ranger District offices for limited exceptions to these restrictions.
Camping on the PNF will be available on a first-come/first-serve basis at specific developed campgrounds; overnight camping on national forest system lands outside of these campgrounds, including dispersed camping, is currently prohibited, unless otherwise permitted. These restrictions may be lessened later in the fall.
Camping is allowed at the following developed recreation sites:
Frenchman Lake: Big Cove, Frenchman and Spring Creek will be open until Sept. 30 and then closed for the season. Boat launches include Frenchman (wet launch) and Lunker Point (dry launch).
Lakes Basin: Goose and Haven will be open until Sept. 30 and then closed for the season while Gold Lake and Lakes Basin Family will be open until Oct. 15 and then closed.
Lake Davis: Grasshopper Flat and Lightning Tree will be open until Oct. 31 and then closed for the season. Dry boat launch includes Lightning Tree while wet boat launches include Camp Five, Honker Cove and Mallard Cove.
The Lost Cove Boat Launch is open at Antelope Lake (wet launch) with no fees and services.
Area fire closures are in effect for the Feather River Ranger District (in its entirety), North Complex (Bear, Claremont and Sheep Fires) and Walker Fire.
Outside of fire closure areas, hunting is allowed in Hunting Permit locations, while woodcutting is allowed per your woodcutting permit and if daily fire indices allow (1-800-847-7766). Picnicking, hiking, biking, OHV, and other forest uses are allowed within normal operating sideboards, outside of fire closure areas.
Regionally
The Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region announces that current closure orders and fire prohibitions in California have been extended. This decision will be evaluated daily, taking fire and weather conditions into account. The fire prohibition includes building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove.
Nine national forests in California remain closed: Angeles NF, Cleveland NF, Los Padres NF, Inyo NF, Klamath NF, San Bernardino NF, Sequoia NF, Sierra NF, and Six Rivers NF. This decision will continue to be reviewed daily.
Nine other national forests may be open to varying degrees. Visitors should contact the following National Forests for more information on their status: Eldorado NF, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Lassen NF, Mendocino NF, Modoc NF, Plumas NF, Shasta-Trinity NF, Stanislaus NF, and the Tahoe NF. For additional questions, please contact your local National Forest.
“Continued closures are based on extreme fire conditions, critical limitations of firefighting resources, and to provide for firefighter and public safety,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “We understand how important access to the National Forests is to our visitors. Our aim is to prevent any new fires on the landscape.”
If you do intend to visit a National Forest that is open to visitors, we continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time. All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during your visits to national forests. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Responsible recreation practices should be maintained at all times, including:
• Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others
• Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials
• Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass
• Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.
• All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly.
