Sonora, Calif. Oct. 08, 2015…Due to cooler, wetter weather and predictions of stable or cooling conditions into the future, fire restrictions on the Stanislaus National Forest (NF) are being lifted effective midnight tonight. This will allow the public to build campfires outside of established administrative sites within the Forest for the purpose of warming; however, visitors are reminded there is still a CAL FIRE, statewide ban on debris burning in effect.

“The longer nights and shorter days have lowered our fire danger indices,” said Deputy Forest Fire Management Officer, Robert Laeng. “Though fire restrictions are being lifted, overall Forest conditions are still dry and Forest visitors should continue to be vigilant with fire safety.”

Unfortunately, Forest personnel continue to find unattended campfires which require prevention action. Though natural causes account for over 50 percent of wildfires on the Stanislaus NF, human caused wildfire is also a major source. For more information on preventing unwanted wildfire, please visit the One Less Spark Campaign page.

Fire permits, along with fire safety information can be obtained at no charge to the public at any Forest Service Visitor Information Office. For more Forest information, visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.