Placerville, CA…Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree announced that fire and recreational shooting restrictions in the Eldorado National Forest were lifted on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. This means that forest visitors in possession of a valid California campfire permit may, once again, have open campfires outside of designated campgrounds according to the terms of their permit. The permit is free from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) office or can be obtained online at www.preventwildfire.org.

“Although the current and forecasted storm takes us out of fire restrictions and the extremely dry forest conditions, the danger from wildfires is not over yet,” said Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree. “As we saw last year if an extended dry period happens this winter then the forest vegetation will dry out and be susceptible to ignition. I expect everyone to be very careful with fire while visiting the national forest.”

Please remember, CAL FIRE continues to have a statewide burn ban on residential burning of dead vegetation. Contact your local CAL FIRE Amador Eldorado Unit (AEU) office at (530) 644-2345 for more information or visit www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_burnpermits.

People interested in camping outside of designated areas should contact the nearest Forest Service office for instructions, updated fire information, campfire permits and current restrictions. Contact information for the respective Ranger stations can be found on the Forest’s website: www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado.

The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. 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.