California’s severe drought continues and the Pacific Crest Trail corridor is extremely dry. We recommend that everyone start planning now for a very active fire season.

Perhaps because of PCTA’s prodding, the California Campfire Permit is now online in a new format. Watch an educational video, take a quiz and print your permit now. It’s required for campfires and stoves. We hope that preventwildfireca.org continues to improve and that information targeting backcountry travelers is added in the future. Because of the extremely dry conditions, temporary seasonal fire restrictions will be in place for much of the trail in 2014. In places, stoves without a positive shut-off valve and a contained fuel source will be banned in order to protect the forest. Plan ahead and consider leaving your alcohol and wood-burning stoves at home from the start.

Trailside resupply stores should consider stocking extra gas canisters. The 100g size is probably the most popular, with the 230g size being close behind. This is the type of pressurized gas can that we’re talking about. The exact brand doesn’t matter so much.

As in years past, we’ll respond this year to all wildfires that affect the trail. Check our website for updates and volunteer with PCTA to mitigate fire impacts on the trail.