Fire Restrictions

NPS Photo

Fire managers may institute fire restrictions any time that fire danger and general conditions call for them. The goal of the restrictions is to reduce the possibility of accidental human-caused fire that could threaten visitors and employees during times of high fire danger. To avoid a surprise when you get to the parks, check the information below just before you travel, and check bulletin boards and visitor centers for updates when you arrive.

Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 fire restrictions are implemented due to fire danger and the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Current Fire Restrictions: Stage 1

Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit wood and charcoal fires, including wood burning stoves, at elevations of 3,000 feet and below. Campground and picnic areas that are affected include Potwisha Campground, and the Hospital Rock and Foothills Picnic Areas.

 

Fire Restriction Stages

Stage	Designated Campgrounds	Designated Picnic Areas	Wilderness	Smoking
None	No restrictions.	No restrictions.	Elevation / site-specific conditions apply. See Minimum Impact Restrictions.	No restrictions.
Stage 1: High	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in all developed campgrounds 3,000 feet and below. Campgrounds include: South Fork, Potwisha, and Buckeye Flat.	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain/Foothills picnic areas.	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited below 6,000 feet. Year-round elevation/site-specific wilderness fire restrictions also apply. Refer to the Minimum Impact Restrictions. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are permitted.	No smoking below 6,000 feet, except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal fires are allowed, or a designated smoking area.
Stage 2: Very High	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in all developed campgrounds 6,000’ in elevation and below. Campgrounds include all campgrounds in Stage 1 and all campgrounds in Cedar Grove. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are permitted.	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Hospital Rock and Ash Mountain/Foothills picnic areas. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are permitted.	Stage 2 restrictions are the same as for Stage 1.	Stage 2 restrictions are the same as for Stage 1.
Stage 3: Extreme	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in all campgrounds at all elevations. Campgrounds include all campgrounds in Stage 1, Stage 2 and all Grant Grove Campgrounds, Dorst Campground, and all Lodgepole Campgrounds.	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in all picnic areas. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are permitted.	Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited at all elevations. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are permitted.	No smoking at any elevation except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, or a designated smoking area.

 

For Wilderness Users

Additional fire restrictions for backpackers are in place for wilderness travel to reduce impacts on fragile alpine ecosystems. See year round elevation/site-specific wilderness campfire restrictions. Refer to the Minimum Impact Restrictions.

Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument

National Forest areas surround much of these national parks, and many park visitors also visit and camp in the national forest. If you plan to camp on national forest lands surrounding these parks, check Sequoia National Forest fire restrictions.