Climate change and invasive weeds mean that “fire season” can last all year, and there are some fire regulations in place to keep wildfire risk at a minimum. Campfire and burning restrictions on public lands such as those managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the United States Forest Service depend very much on the location, time of year and the current weather conditions. When strong winds are blowing, it is never a good time to have a fire of any kind as sparks can ignite a fire a great distance away. Always check the California Current Fire Restrictions at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov to obtain a valid campfire permit, as well as to ascertain updated restrictions which will include meeting the following criteria before building, attending or using a campfire outside of a designated campground.
A five foot in diameter area must be cleared down to the bare soil, also making sure there is nothing burnable above the cleared area. Have a round-point shovel with an overall height of at least 35 inches, within easy reach.
Burn restrictions in Joshua Tree National Park include campfires, warming fires and charcoal/wood burning barbeques. Smoking within ten feet of vegetation is also strictly prohibited. LPG stoves that can be turned off quickly are permitted. So are generators with approved spark arrestors, but they must be at least three feet away from any burnable materials like brush, trees or tents. Extra water for fire extinguishing purposes should always be nearby in case of an emergency.
There are numerous restrictions on having a fire on your personal property, varying by location and local fire codes. Fire pits must be placed at least 25 feet away from buildings, decks, vehicles and other combustible materials and are prohibited when a red flag warning is issued. Burning garbage, hazardous waste or plastics is illegal. Inside your home, using your fireplace or wood-burning stove to warm the house is prohibited when air quality is poor.
For more information contact your local Fire department, or Cal Fire at www.fire.ca.gov. The Mojave Desert Air Quality management agency’s website is: www.mdaqmd.ca.gov. The Bureau of Land Management can be found at www.blm.gov
https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov for campfire permits as well as check current fire restrictions.
