Forest Fire Chief Kent Swartzlander announced Friday that special fire use restrictions were initiated on the Six Rivers National Forest effective Saturday, August 1. According to Swartzlander, “Fuels have dried out to a point that fire danger potential has significantly increased across the Forest. This trend is expected to continue over the next few months. Any new fire ignitions could pose a problem for firefighters during suppression efforts.”

”We urge everyone to be careful with fire and comply with the fire restrictions,” continued Swartzlander. “We hope to minimize any potential wildland fire starts by only allowing open campfires in developed recreation sites or designated fire safe areas.”

Effective August 1, fire “Restrictions” will:

* Limit open campfires to Developed Recreation Sites and Designated Fire Safe Sites. Campfire permits ARE required for fires in the Designated Fire Safe Sites. They are NOT required in the Developed Recreation Sites.

* Limit smoking to enclosed vehicles, buildings, Developed Recreation Sites and within Designated Fire Safe Sites.

* Prohibit the use of internal combustion engines except on Forest system roads or trails.

* Prohibit welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

* Prohibit the use of explosives.

Exemptions to the restrictions include:

* With a valid California campfire permit, the use of lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid is allowed. Barbeque grills using briquettes are not allowed and follow the same restrictions as the campfire restrictions listed above.

* With a valid fuelwood-cutting permit, you can operate a chainsaw for fuelwood gathering within the terms of your permit.

* These restrictions exclude the Trinity Alps and the Siskiyou Wilderness areas. Further restrictions may be enforced at a later date; contact any of the following National Forest Offices, Eureka (707) 442-1721, Willow Creek (530) 629-2118, Gasquet (707) 457-3131, Weaverville (530) 623-2121 and Big Bar (530) 623-6106, for more specific information before entering these wilderness areas.

California campfire permits are free and are available at all Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices. The campfire permit must be obtained in person in order to receive information about the terms of the permit and current conditions. The permittee agrees to clear all flammable material away from the campfire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire; have a responsible person in attendance at all times; and extinguish the campfire with water, using the drown, stir and feel method.

While lightning is the number one cause of wildland fire on the Six Rivers National Forest, human caused fires are a major concern. Human caused fires, which range from escaped campfires, careless smokers, equipment use, vehicle exhaust, catalytic converters, or children playing with matches, are preventable.