Briefs Los Padres Temporarily Bans Target Shooting Escalating Fire Danger Prompts Crackdown

Los Padres National Forest officials announced Monday Level III fire restrictions would be put into place beginning Tuesday due to escalating fire danger caused by excessively dry vegetation. Target shooting — save at Santa Barbara’s Winchester Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club — and smoking are also prohibited under the seasonal order.

With the exception of designated Campfire Use sites — areas designated for camping — wood and charcoal fires are now prohibited in the forest. Outside of recreational sites, use of portable stoves and lanterns powered by gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel is granted only to people with valid California Campfire Permits. Campers with permits must attend to the stove at all times, clear flammable material within 10 feet of the stove, and have a shovel on hand.

Hunting during open hunting season is exempt from the current fire restrictions, but only if one has a valid hunting license in the State of California.

Smoking is also prohibited, unless it’s done within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site. As always, internal or external combustion engines are prohibited on roads and trails unless they’re equipped with properly installed spark-arresting devices.

A full list of designated campfire sites lives on Los Padres National Forest’s website. Visitors are encouraged to call Santa Barbara’s Ranger District at (805) 967-3481 with any questions.

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