Effective Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are lifting fire restrictions inside the parks. Recent rain and shorter and cooler days have reduced fire danger.
Wood and charcoal fires are now permitted within designated fire rings in all Foothills Campgrounds of Sequoia National Park. Campfires are also now permitted in Wilderness areas below 6,000 feet in elevation. Year-round fire restrictions may still apply to specific sites in the wilderness. Charcoal grills may also now be used in the Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain Picnic Areas, and smoking is permitted below 6,000 feet.
Even with restrictions lifted, visitors must still follow the parks’ year-round regulations concerning fire. In the Wilderness:
• Keep campfires small, in a safe area, and away from overhanging limbs.
• Use existing campfire rings -do not build new rings in the wilderness.
• Extinguish fires at least ½ hour before leaving camp; add water and stir the ashes.
• If you are backpacking, you are responsible for knowing the fire regulations where you travel. Check with the wilderness office about your destination. Fires are prohibited in some areas of the Wilderness due to scarcity of wood and resource concerns.
Additionally, all visitors must:
• Use the designated campfire ring in all campgrounds.
• Gather only dead and down wood; do not cut limbs from trees.
• Extinguish cigarettes and properly dispose of the filter.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
