THREE RIVERS—On Monday, September 7, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California enacted a park-wide campfire and smoking ban, which would be effective at 6:00 a.m. on September 8.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park passed the fire restriction because of current wildfires and extremely hot weather which reached Preparedness Level 5 (PL 5), the highest level of the fire management level. The constraints are validated in broad areas inside the two parks, including all campgrounds, picnic, and day-use areas. Two parks are still open with limited services and facilities, where visitors are warned to be careful at poor air quality and recommended to check the latest update though Air Quality Information webpage and Twitter account.
John Ziegler, the parks’ fire management officer said, “We need the public and our visitors help in preventing any new wildfires at this critical time. One less spark means one less fire.”
The website introduces the details of the restrictions:
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- Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are illegal at all elevations and locations.
- Employee housing and private property throughout the parks are included.
- Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve), and tablet/cube stoves are permitted in all areas.
- No smoking at any elevation except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, or a designated smoking area.
- Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are illegal at all elevations and locations.
