Forest Fire Restrictions

Yesterday, the U.S. Forest Service issued new and tighter fire restrictions for the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF). Forest officials were spurred to action by the recent high temperatures, which are rapidly reducing vegetative moisture levels.

The current restrictions were effective Monday, July 19 and include the following:

Wood or charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and Yellow Post sites on the San Bernardino National Forest;

Campfire permits, which available at your local Ranger Station, are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites; Recreational shooting is limited to designated sites and 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. This applies to chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles operated on the National Forest;

Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites;

A permit is required for welding or operating any torch device with an open flame or for use of any explosive device; and

Fireworks are always prohibited on the SBNF. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target.

Besides the above specific restrictions SBNF officials advise travelers that they should never park on dry brush or grass.

Forest Service roads

Good news just in from the Forest Service. All roads, except Black Mountain Road, will be open to public use tomorrow:

On Thursday, March 4, the San Jacinto Ranger District will open Forest Service Roads on the North-West section of the Forest as well as Santa Rosa and Thomas Mountain. Forest Service Roads that will be opened are: 4S05 (Mellor Ranch Rd), 4S06, 4S10, 4S19 (Angelus Hill Rd), 4S21 (Indian Truck Trail), 5S06 (Control Rd), 5S07 (Bee Canyon), 5S09 (San Jac Truck Trail), 5S10 (Red Hill Truck Trail) and 5S24 all part of the Cottonwood and Esperanza burn areas, as well as, 7S02 (Santa Rosa Mountain) and 6S13 (Thomas Mountain).

These road closures were for public safety because of the chance of ice, mud, rock slides, washouts, flash flooding, slippery road surfaces and/or snow. The closures also serve to protect the road system itself. The Forest Service has a responsibility to minimize damage to the road system in case of an emergency or disaster.

Even though the Forest Service maintains the road system on an annual basis, our limited capacity to do so often results in road maintenance not being completed until well into fire season. Therefore, under unusual or extreme winter weather conditions, it sometimes becomes necessary to temporarily close the road system in order to minimize damage to the roads, thereby allowing access to fire suppression and emergency responders earlier in the fire season before the road maintenance is completed. These roads are subject to possible future closures pending any additional inclement weather.

Forest Service Road 4S01 (Black Mountain Road) will remain closed at Hwy 243 until further notice.

Thanks you for your patience and understanding.

Humber Park Closed

Just in from the U.S. forest Service — Humber Park closed until further notice!!

The FS has closed Humber Park for public safety due to icy roads, deep snow and lack of parking. this closure will be in effect until weather and road conditions allow for a safe reopening. for current weather and road conditions contact the Idyllwild Ranger Station at (909) 382-2922.