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In wake of recent storms, fire restrictions lifted for the Los Padres National Forest


Wren Meinberg
/
Unsplash

Forest officials say there's enough moisture in vegetation to prevent major wildfires.

This week’s storms are closing the book on potential wildfires for the rest of 2023.

Los Padres National Forest officials say there is now sufficient moisture in vegetation to lift fire restrictions immediately. Campfires and charcoal barbeques can now be used in all areas of the forest. And, people can now have campfires outside of designated areas, if they get a California Campfire permit first.

The exception in Santa Barbara County’s front country from Gaviota to the Ventura County line, where all campfires are always prohibited.

There are still some restrictions in place. Spark arrestors are required on off-road vehicles. Permits are required for welding, grinding, and cutting operations. And, recreational target shooting is limited to designated sites.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.