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What does it mean if I have a California Campfire Permit?
Did you know that by obtaining this permit, it doesn't mean you're allowed to make your own campfire on the ground at San Bernardino National Forest?
It's true. Even though you did your due diligence in getting your permit, it in fact does not permit you to have a campfire anywhere you want... even if a spot in the dirt obviously looks there was a campfire there before you!
The key sentence in the permit
You may have noticed while obtaining that permit that CAL FIRE says the holder is "authorized to build a campfire...subject to restrictions in place at the time."
Some forests may allow ground fires, but here in Southern California, we do not, as habitats have a much higher tendency to burn. It's nature's way of balancing wildlife, habitat and watersheds.
Problem is, with all the people who live, work and play in the Forest nowadays, there are too many instances for campfires to get out of control, and they indeed have.
We must all do our part to minimize human-caused fires in every way possible.
What the permit allows you to do on the San Bernardino National Forest
You may only have campfires in designated metal rings or barbecues provided by the US Forest Service when current fire restrictions allow.
You can also have a gas-powered stove with a fuel shut-off, but you must get your California Campfire Permit first, keep a copy with you while camping and renew each year. You may also bring a fire pit, but that too, must be gas-powered and not burn wood or charcoal.
Additionally, you must "know before you go" and check our website homepage's "Current Fire Restrictions" to make sure you are allowed to have a campfire in the first place. At the highest restrictions during the hottest and driest part of the year, campfires of any kind may not be allowed, even in our fire rings that we provide.
With the potential for catastrophic wildfires negatively impacting your forest experience, we cannot stress this enough as the number one rule you follow when visiting.
Where to get a permit
Thank you for reading this important message. We thank our forest visitors for helping make recreational experiences here the best they can be for all who visit!
In the future, when our visitors centers open back up we will also be administering permits in person.
Permit Requirements
| Campgrounds | Yellow Post Sites | Dispersed |
|---|---|---|
| Campfires allowed when restrictions allow | Campfires allowed when restrictions allow | Gas powered only, when restrictions allow |
| Permit requirement depends on campground | Permit required | Permit required |
| Picnic Areas | Campgrounds | Yellow Post Sites | Dispersed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wood/charcoal may be used in the grills provided when restrictions allow. Portable stoves must be gas powered, have fuel shutoff and 5 feet away from flammable materials. |
Wood/charcoal grills can be placed inside the provided fire ring; not on tables or the ground. Portable stoves must be gas powered, have fuel shutoff and 5 feet away from flammable materials. |
Wood/charcoal grills can be placed inside the provided fire ring; not on tables or the ground. Portable stoves must be gas powered, have fuel shutoff and 5 feet away from flammable materials. |
Wood/charcoal grills prohibited! Portable stoves must be gas powered, have fuel shutoff and 5 feet away from flammable materials. |
| Permit required | Permit sometimes required | Permit required | Permit required |