California National Parks Enforce New Fire Restrictions Amid Dry Conditions

Yosemite National Park in California will enforce fire restrictions starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7. The rules ban wood and charcoal fires below 8,000 feet, limit smoking to vehicles, designated campgrounds, or cleared areas, and remain in effect until conditions improve. The decision follows hot, dry weather, low fuel moisture and windy forecasts, aiming to curb human‑caused wildfires.

Plumas National Forest also moved to Stage II fire restrictions on August 5. Campfires are now limited to designated recreation sites with a host, and smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles or cleared zones. Use of internal‑combustion engines is confined to roads and trails, while certain portable fuel devices are permitted if they meet safety standards. Forest officials, including Fire Management Officer Martin Senter, stress that most recent fires on the forest have been human‑caused and urge visitors to follow the new rules to prevent further incidents.