Fire restrictions downgraded due to recent rainfall

Fire restrictions for the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument will be downgraded from “Very High” to “High” starting Friday, according to the U.S. National Forest Service.

The downgrade is due to recent storms that brought rain across the forest during the middle of the month, the agency said in a statement, although the amount of snow that has fallen and stuck remains below normal over some areas, leading to less moisture seeping into the ground.

“While the next two weeks are expected to be drier and warmer, long range prognostications are showing near to above normal precipitation should continue for several more weeks, with that we are lowering the fire danger on the Forest and Monument from Very High to High,” said James Hall, fire chief for the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

The six-level fire restriction system is based on a variety of factors, including the moisture in vegetation, weather conditions and nationwide firefighting equipment and personnel needs, according to the statement.

The holiday season is a popular time to camp, according to Nathan Judy, Fire Information Officer with the U.S. Forest Service’s Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument division.

“Christmas Day is one of our busiest and heaviest use days because everyone’s off for the holiday,” he said.

The agency urges caution, with the following restrictions in place:

• Wood or charcoal fires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and developed picnics areas within designated fire rings.

• White gas, jellied or propane-type camp stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites are permitted with a valid California Campfire Permit.

• Spark arrestors (required year-round) should be checked to make sure they are in good working order on all off-road vehicles, chain saws and other equipment with internal combustion engines.

• Fireworks are prohibited on Angeles National Forest year round.

• Discharging of firearms is prohibited on the Forest except for the purpose of hunting during the designated hunting season as established by the California Department of Fish and Game. Target shooting is only allowed within designated areas on the Forest. Steel core ammunition; armor piercing ammunition; and tracer ammunition is never allowed on the Angeles National Forest.

• Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, developed recreation sites.

• Welding, grinding, and cutting allowed only with a permit.