CLOVIS, Calif., October 31, 2014 – Due to cooler weather and higher humidity and moderated fire danger, Forest Supervisor Dean Gould announced today that fire restrictions will be lifted on the Sierra National Forest effective immediately.

Campfire permits are still required. Campfire Permits

This means that Forest visitors in possession of a valid California campfire permit may, once again, have open campfires outside of designated campgrounds. The permit is free from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) office. You may also obtain a California Campfire Permit online at: http://www.preventwildfireca.org. However, Visitors are still urged to practice fire safety.

“Lifting these restrictions does not mean fire season is over. High fire danger could still occur, particularly if dry, windy conditions prevail,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Joe Reyes. “I want to encourage everyone to be careful with fire while visiting The Sierra National Forest.”

As a reminder, CAL FIRE continues to have a statewide burn ban. Please contact your local CAL FIRE office for more information.

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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For more information on the Sierra National Forest please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/