Fire Danger Increases to ‘HIGH’ at the Angeles National Forest

Release Date: Jul 1, 2024

Contact(s): Celeste Morales (626) 684-0800 or Dana Dierkes (626) 698-8482

Image of grey fire wheel with high level highlighted in yellow.

ARCADIA, Calif., July 1, 2024—Effective July 2, 2024, fire danger levels have increased to HIGH at the Angeles National Forest, which includes the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Visitors to the Angeles National Forest, including recreational cabin owners and concessioners, are advised of the following updates:

Remember, fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on public lands — every forest, every campsite, every day. This includes sparklers.
All stoves and campfires require a valid California Campfire Permit. Get your campfire permit online.
Campfires are allowed only at developed campgrounds in USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings and Klamath stoves. Klamath stoves look like wood-burning fireplaces that can be used for cooking or to generate warmth.
Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed in USDA Forest Service-provided grills only in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
Visitors may only bring gas grills (-no charcoal grills) and use them in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas if all combustible (burnable) material is removed five feet from the base of the grill.
Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as "backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed to be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. Users must possess a valid California Campfire Permit, even for use of a lantern or stove, and be in compliance with permit conditions. Get your campfire permit online.
Shooting of guns is only allowed in designated shooting areas, except for hunters during legal hunting seasons. In addition, shooting of tracer, armor piercing, steel core, or Teflon ammunition is not allowed.  
Welding, grinding, cutting, and the use of explosives is only allowed with a proper permit.

A violation of the law can result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs of suppressing the fire.

Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia said, “Although we have had a mild spring this year due to extensive winter rains, the vegetation is quickly drying out. As temperatures continue to rise, we are seeing a significant number of wildfires start in the greater Los Angeles area, including in the Angeles National Forest.” He added, “The vast majority of our wildfires in the area are human-caused, so we need the public’s support to prevent wildfires.” 

To read Forest Order No. 05-01-24-06, click here.

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