Lassen National Forest opens with camping restrictions
The Lassen National Forest is issuing Forest Order 06-20-11 based on the determination it is necessary to issue camping restrictions within the LNF to protect natural resources and to provide for public and employee safety. This order prohibits camping outside of developed recreation sites and will be in effect from Sept. 19 through Nov. 30.
The following campsites will be opened on the LNF. The Almanor Ranger District (Battle Creek Campground, Legacy Campground, and Potato Patch Campground). The Eagle Lake Ranger District (Aspen Grove Campground, Christie Campground, Eagle Campground, and Merrill Campground). The Hat Creek Ranger District (Big Pine Campground, Cave Campground, Dusty Campground, and Hat Creek Campground).
Currently, the LNF lacks personnel to effectively deal with any new fire ignitions that might occur within the forest due to large-scale fire events, and an increase in fire danger. Although campfires are prohibited in dispersed areas, the LNF routinely encounters individuals who violate the fire prohibition. Behavior like this puts the forest, the surrounding communities and LNF personnel at risk.
Regional Order No. 20-14 prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire or smoking on National Forest System lands under the Region Five jurisdiction. This order goes into effect from Sept. 19, through Sept. 24. The Regional Order protects natural resources and provide for the safety of forest visitors by further mitigating wildfire ignition potential during these extreme fire conditions. This Regional Order supersedes Regional Order No. 20-11, which was issued on Sept. 14.
“Closing dispersed sites to camping will help eliminate the likelihood of the start of new fires and will help prevent overburdening of the already-diminished resources,” said Deb Bumpus, forest supervisor, LNF.
The following persons are exempt from this order:
- 1. Any Federal, State or Local officer, or member or an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- 2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting this order.
- 3. Persons with a Forest Service non-special use written authorization to conduct non-recreational activities. such as harvesting timber or forest products. or grazing livestock.
For more information, visit the Lassen National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/lassen or social media channels (Facebook or Twitter).
