Sonora, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest is reopening sections of the forest again to public access after the Pacific Southwest Region rescinded its regional closure order. The regional closure order signed by Regional Forester Randy Moore expired at 8 a.m. today. Fire restrictions remain in effect at all elevations on the forest, which prohibit using any ignition sources, including campfires, propane or gel-fuel stoves and smoking materials.

Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken signed Forest Order STF-16-2020-19, Temporary Camping, Occupancy and Use Restrictions, which prohibits dispersed camping in high and moderate fire hazard areas as well as recreational target shooting, but opens the forest for day use between sunrise and sunset, and authorizes some developed campgrounds.

The current forest order outlines authorized activities on the forest based on the three fire hazard zones normally in use for fire restrictions. Refer to the forest order map for hazard area locations.

In addition, hunters with valid California Fish & Wildlife permits and tags are authorized to hunt in permitted zones. Be aware that campfires and campstoves are not authorized anywhere on the forest. Know where your permitted zones are before you travel to the forest.

High Fire Hazard Area (Zone A, generally lower elevation; red areas on map) prohibits:

No camping in any areas, including dispersed and developed campgrounds

No overnight stays

No campfires, propane or gel fuel campstoves, no smoking materials

No target shooting

Visits to day use areas from dawn to dusk are authorized.

Moderate Fire Hazard Area (Zone B, generally mid elevation zone; beige areas on map) prohibits:

No dispersed camping in all areas

No campfires, propane or gel fuel campstoves, no smoking materials

No target shooting

Visits to day use areas from dawn to dusk are authorized.

Camping is authorized in developed campgrounds only. For a list of open campgrounds visit the Stanislaus National Forest web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.

Low Fire Hazard Area (Zone C, generally high elevations; green areas on map)

No campfires, propane or gel fuel campstoves, no smoking materials

No target shooting

Visits to day use areas from dawn to dusk are authorized.

Developed and dispersed camping is authorized

For additional information about the revised forest order, visit the Stanislaus National Forest at www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.

# # #