Be Fire Smart. Know what the fire restrictions are before your backpack or car camp trip. At extreme levels of fire danger, open flames from wood and charcoal fires and camp stoves may be prohibited in the forest.

Current fire restrictions for Los Padres National Forest can be found at the US Forest Service website for Los Padres National Forest.

There are designated campfire use sites in Los Padres National Forest as well as camps in the back-country where a day hike or backpack is required for a visit. The designated campfire use sites are car camp sites with established fire rings. Campfires are generally allowed at these locations when campfires at back-country camps are prohibited. However, when fire danger is extreme, these sites too can be campfire restricted. So, check before you go.

A list of designated campfire use sites is available at the US Forest Service can be found here.

Get A Campfire Permit

A campfire permit is required to have a campfire or to operate a portable stove. However, as fire dangers change throughout the year, it is important to know what the fire restrictions are and whether an open flame is allowed in the forest at all.

Fire permits are free and available online and are valid to the end of the year. Get your online fire permit at the US Forest Service website.

Visit the US Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District for more information.

Additional Resources:

US Forest Service- Building a Campfire
Smokey Bear- Campfire Safety
USDA Alerts & Notices