News Release

2020 Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect June 4, 2020

Date: June 3, 2020
Contact: Fire Information Office, 559-565--3704

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. June 3, 2020– Fire restrictions are being implemented in the lower-elevation areas of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to reduce the risk of wildfire in order to protect people, public lands, resources, and facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, through these fire restrictions, we are reducing the potential need to request additional fire and medical resources from our county, state, and federal partners. If outside resources are assisting on an incident in the parks, that commitment could limit their response to the wider community for emergencies.

“We are dealing with extraordinary times which require us to take precautionary measures that will protect the public and our wildland firefighters,” said John Ziegler, parks’ fire management officer. “The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of unwanted human-caused wildfire in the parks’ high-risk areas at this time of the year.”

These fire restrictions cover areas of the parks that remain closed at this time but are included in preparation that all areas may be open while fire restrictions are in effect. Fire restrictions may also be extended or modified due to changes in fire danger and conditions within the parks.
Therefore, directed by the Superintendent of the parks, the following Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be effective at 6:00 a.m. on June 4, 2020.
 

• Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Potwisha, Buckeye, and South Fork campgrounds. All fires and stoves are allowed in all other campgrounds.
• Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited below 6,000 feet in wilderness. Year-round elevation/site-specific wilderness fire restrictions also apply.
• Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain picnic areas. All fires and stoves are allowed in all other designated picnic areas.
• Smoking is also prohibited below 6,000 feet, except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or a designated smoking area.
• Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are still permitted in all areas.

For information on the other fire restriction stage levels, please visit https://go.nps.gov/sekifirerestrictions

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