National Forest Service Fire Restrictions Defined

Stage I (Restrictions) – This first stage occurs when there is an increasing fire danger and/or increasing preparedness level and the risks of keeping the forest open to all activities begins to be outweighed by the risks inherent in doing so. Stage I imposes restrictions aimed at preventing the start of wildfires based on human activities that are know to be high risk, specifically smoking, campfires, and fireworks.

Definition: (Restricted Activities)

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a developed recreation site.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.

The following persons are exempt from this order:

a) Persons with a permit that authorizes actions specifically prohibited by this order.

b) Any Federal, state or Local Officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

c) Lessees or permittees within he restricted area are exempt from prohibition 1 above, provided such fires are within their residence.


Stage II (Restrictions) – As the risks increase, the line officer may choose to move to Stage II. This stage intensifies the restrictions from Stage I by focusing on activities that, although normally managed under permit or contract, have a relatively high risk of causing a fire start. Restrictions under Stage II will affect forest users and will have additional economic impacts to contractors, permittees, and others. Therefore, the decision to move to Stage II will involve a risk benefit assessment as well as consideration of economic and social impacts.

Definition: (Restricted Activities)

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.

4. Using an explosive.

5. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am.

6. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

7. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

8. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off of National Forest System Roads, except when parking overnight in developed campgrounds and at trailheads.

9. Violating any state law concerning burning or fires which are for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.

The following persons are exempt from this order:

a) Persons with a permit that authorizes actions specifically prohibited by this order.

b) Persons in a developed recreation site using a fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels.

c) Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

d) Lessees or permittees within the restricted area are exempt from prohibition 1 above, provided such fires are within their residence.


Stage III (Closure) - Stage III is the closure of specific areas of the Forest. This stage is selected when the ability to mitigate risks using Stage I or II restrictions is no longer viable. The social, economic, and political impacts of implementing a partial closure at this point are outweighed by the benefits associated with virtually eliminating the potential for human-caused fire starts.

Definition: Partial Forest closure, with very few exceptions as detailed in the closure order.


Stage IV (Closure) – Stage IV is full closure. This stage is selected when the ability to manage risks using Stage III closures is no longer viable. The social, economic and political impacts of implementing a full closure at this point are outweighed by the benefits associated with virtually eliminating the potential for human-caused fire starts.

Definition: Full forest closures, with very few exceptions as detailed in the closure order.