Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Lift Fire Restrictions

Date: October 20, 2015
Contact: Mike Theune, 559-565-3703

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. October 20, 2015 –Effective today at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2015, Sequoia &Kings Canyon National Parks are lifting fire restrictions inside the parks.Recent rains as well as shorter and cooler days have reduced fire danger. Even with restrictions lifted, visitors must still follow the parks' year-round regulations concerning fire.

Wood and charcoal fires are now permitted within designated fire rings in all Foothills Campgrounds of Sequoia National Park. Charcoal grills may also now be used in the Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain Picnic Areas, and smoking is permitted unless posted regardless of elevation.

Campfires are also now permitted in Wilderness areas regardless of elevation. Year-round fire restrictions may still apply to specific sites in the wilderness. 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.

-NPS-

About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' Fire Management Program

For over forty years, our mission has been to use the full range of options and strategies available to manage fire in the parks. This includes protecting park resources, employees, and the public from unwanted fire; building and maintaining fire resilient ecosystems; reducing the threat to local communities from wildfires emanating from the parks or adjacent lands; and recruiting, training, and retaining a professional fire management workforce.