The San Bernardino National Forest will implement new fire and shooting restrictions ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the agency announced Tuesday, May 24.

The restrictions ordered by fire officials come as moisture levels of fuels in the forest land’s lower elevations reached “critically dry” marks this week, said the forest, which is in parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The restrictions come almost a month earlier than they were implemented in 2021, the agency said.

The new restrictions set to take place Thursday, May 26, prohibit campfires and wood or charcoal barbeques at un-hosted campgrounds and picnic areas, firearm discharges, smoking, welding or use of an open-flame torch and using an internal combustion engine off of paved, gravel or dirt roads and trails, the agency announced. The restrictions are set to last through the remainder of 2022, the forest said.

Some hosted campgrounds and picnic areas will allow campfires, barbeques and smoking, the forest said. Gas-powered stoves and fire rings with a fuel shutoff will also be allowed with a permit, the agency said.

The announcement comes after Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire officials over the weekend announced burning restrictions throughout the county, suspending all burning of landscape debris, like branches and leaves, in its territory. Campfires in the county are allowed for those who obtain a campfire permit and demonstrate fire safety to prevent embers from lighting other fires.

In the Angeles National Forest, similar restrictions related to burning and shooting were implemented on May 3, slated to be in place through April 30, 2023, according to that forest.  A nearly identical order was made for the Cleveland National Forest in March of this year, expected to remain at least through July 31, the agency said.

Fire restrictions on forest lands may increase as the year progresses, the agency said.

The most current fire restrictions for the San Bernardino National Forest can be found online or by calling a ranger station.

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