With a significant amount of rain and snow recorded across most of the forest recently, fire managers downgraded the fire danger level to very high from extreme. This change will allow forest visitors to use campfires and barbecues within designated campgrounds and picnic areas where steel fire rings and stoves are provided.

“Although these recent rains have brought much needed relief, it will take a series of winter storms to bring the forest’s fuel levels out of critical moisture levels,” said Robert Garcia, fire chief of the Angeles National Forest.

Fire restrictions on the Angeles National Forest are determined by a graduated system that becomes more restrictive as fire danger levels increase, and less restrictive as conditions improve. The low fire danger level is the lowest level of a six-level, graduated fire danger rating system. A variety of factors determine the level, including the moisture in vegetation, weather conditions and nationwide firefighting resource needs.

Current fire restrictions include building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire outside of a developed recreation site; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials; welding, or operating an acetylene torch or any torch with an open flame; discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting ranges.