Forest Service: fire danger ‘very high’

Written by Orange County Register

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Pat Brennan

Fire danger is now “very high” in the Cleveland National Forest, U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday, imposing campfire, smoking and off-highway vehicle restrictions to reduce wildfire risk.

“The live fuel moisture is coming down,” said Keith Fletcher, district ranger for the Trabuco district, the part of Cleveland nearest Orange County. “It’s getting to the point where we identify it as critical.”

In the Trabuco District, campfires will be restricted only in the Wildomar campground, he said.

Smoking throughout the forest is allowed only in enclosed vehicles and developed recreation sites; spark arrestors are required for off-highway vehicles.

Brian Harris, acting deputy district ranger in the San Jacinto Ranger District, urged homeowners living near forest land to finish all weed trimming and yardwork before 10 a.m. in the morning.

“You don’t want to be out there in the middle of the heat of the day with your weed-eater that’s gas-powered,” Harris said.

“With that muffler, as hot as it gets, it could instantly start a fire.”

The Orange County Fire Authority remains in a “medium” dispatch level, said battalion chief Kris Concepcion, although the agency could increase the dispatch level this weekend depending on weather.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will be in the 90s in inland Orange County through Saturday. A cooling trend should begin Sunday, with inland temperatures dropping to the low to mid 80s on Labor Day.

Source: http://sciencedude.ocregister.com/2010/09/02/forest-service-fire-danger-very-high/110033/

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