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Forest Fire Restrictions 2026
Fire Restrictions include:
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, except in the South Warner Wilderness and Designated Recreation Sites listed in exhibit a.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a building, within the Designated Recreation Sites or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within the Designated Recreation Sites listed at the link above.
Exemptions to these restrictions include:
• Lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid with a valid free California campfire permit. Barbeque grills using briquettes are not allowed.
• Chainsaws and other equipment within the terms of a valid permit. Fuelwood-cutting permits are available at any Modoc National Forest office. Permit holders are asked to call 530-233-8819 for operational hours for woodcutting before heading out for the day.
Alert Start Date: July 23, 2026
Alert End Date: November 3, 2026
Order Number: 09-26-01
Contact Information
Contact Name: Modoc National Forest
Contact Number: (530) 233-5811
Associated Documents
Forest Order
FOREST ORDER NO. 09-26-01 USDA FOREST SERVICE
MODOC NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Pursuant to 1 6 U.S.C. § 551 and 3 6 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Modoc National Forest. This Order is effective from July 23 2026 through Oct 31, 2026.
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire anywhere other than in the South Warner Wilderness and the Designated Recreation Sites shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a building, within the Designated Recreation Sites shown on Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
- Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
- Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within the Designated Recreation Sites shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order
- Persons with a Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
- Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
- Persons with a Forest Service Special Use Permit for a recreation residence on the Modoc National Forest are exempt from Prohibition Nos. 1, 2, and 4, only while at their recreation residences.
- Persons with a valid Forest Service fuelwood permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid Forest Service fuelwood permit may use a chainsaw to cut fuelwood, provided that the cutting is done in compliance with the terms of the permit.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions found in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § § 3559, 3571 and 3581 .
Executed in Alturas, California this 21st day of July 2026.
Digitally Signed by Christopher Bielecki
Forest Supervisor Modoc National Forest