New Fire Restrictions for Los Padres

Forest Service Officials Warn of Increased Risk

Independent 4 August 2009

Ben Preston

Beginning August 5, the U.S. Forest Service placed more stringent fire restrictions on the Los Padres National Forest. Due to increased risk of fire during the hot, dry summer months, open campfires and charcoal fires are allowed only on designated campfire use sites, and smoking is only allowed within closed vehicles and campfire use sites. Recreational target shooting will be allowed only at the Winchester Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club, although exemptions are allowed for hunting licenses issued by the State of California. The restrictions will remain in place until the end of fire season, which officials define as when the forest receives at least two inches of rainfall.

In the Santa Barbara Ranger District, the following are designated campfire use areas: Cachuma Campground, Falls Day Use Area, Fremont Campground, Live Oak Day Use Area, Los Prietos Campground, Lower Oso Day Use Area, Middle Santa Ynez Campground, Mono Campground, P-Bar Flat Campground, Paradise Campground, Red Rock Day Use Area, Rock Camp, Sage Hill Campground, Upper Oso Campground, and White Rock Day Use Area. For more information, visit the Forest Service Web site.