Los Padres National Forest - Alerts & Closures

Safety First

Safety First Please be aware of these alerts and notices because many unexpected situations can present difficult challenges for forest visitors.

Be well informed and prepared for your next visit to the forest.

Before venturing out, contact the nearest Forest Service office for recent information on alerts, advisories, notices and closures.

To report an emergency, please call 911.

Storm Damage Forest Closure Orders

Special Closure Public Health & Safety: Effective: January 27, 2024 - August 31, 2024

Forest Order 05-07-00-24-01

Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit A-1 (Monterey Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit A-2 (Monterey Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit B-1 (Santa Lucia Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit B-3 (Santa Lucia Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit B-4 (Santa Lucia Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit B-5 (Santa Lucia Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit C (Santa Barbara Ranger District)
Special Closure Order Map - Exhibit D (Ojai Ranger District)

Ranger District Open and Closed areas

Current Fire Restrictions

Forest Order 05-07-00-24-11 Fire Use Restrictions: Effective June 29, 2024 - January 31, 2025

Forest Order 05-07-00-24-11

In response to the increasing potential for wildland fire starts, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that fire restrictions will be implemented throughout the Forest effective June 29. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials, and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until January 31, 2025.

No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (list attached), even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which can be obtained free-of-charge at this website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person always attends the stove during use.
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
Fireworks – even the “safe and sane” variety – are not permitted at any time or in any location within the Forest.
Discharging a firearm is prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except while legally hunting or at Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club which operate under special use authority.

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or contact the U.S. Forest Service district office nearest you.

Los Padres National Forest prohibits campfires in Santa Barbara front country

Fire restrictions are still in effect in the Santa Barbara front country. This prohibition will remain in effect through Feb 26, 2026.

NOTE: This prohibition does not include the following campgrounds on the Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Ranger Districts: Fremont, Paradise, Los Prietos, Upper Oso, Figueroa Mountain, Davy Brown and Nira.

Campfires are prohibited on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara front country due to the increasing fire danger and the potential threat to downslope communities.

Over the past 15 years, eight large wildfires have directly impacted the front country communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria. Extreme fire weather events are now occurring year-round and are compounded by the long-term, severe drought affecting Central and So. California.

Front country visitors possessing a valid CA Campfire Permit will be permitted to use portable lanterns or stoves that run on propane, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.