California Fire Permit

If you pass the test and agree to the terms, you get one of these:

How many of you passed the test???

According to a recent post in another thread, the permits are available at trail heads and watching an educational video is not needed, nor is a test required.

A quote from that thread:

Ken T.
(kthompson)

I always get one in January from the local Forest office and have never been asked any questions other than if I am going to the Trinity Alps or another forest unit. Since it is good for all year I like to get one early, and it is easy to get one in mid winter. At the local trailheads there are usually a bunch of signed ones in the permit box. Just fill it out the rest of the way and on you go. If this drought continues I won't be surprised if that changes. That has made it really easy to attain one without any educating.

Let me add that this is how it is in Trinity and Humboldt counties with permits. Would never expect to see that same situation down south.

Yeah, when I go to Trinity Alps I stop at Coffee Creek Ranger Station and fill out form.

No one has ever asked to see it, or the wilderness permit, but I go in May/October when there aren't a lot of people there

Thanks for your comments. It's helpful to know what goes on in different areas. One of the test questions indicate that conditions can change and so it's necessary to inquire about the area that you about to enter. Updated Restrictions may have been put into place.

It was a sad state of affairs for me to see how the drought has affected CA. I was there on vacation at the end of April. Went to the Sequoia Nationl Forest via Vasalia, CA. Tent camped there at the Kampground Of America/KOA

Everything is browned out except for irrigated groves and farms.

what happens if you intentionally answer some questions wrong?

or unintentionally?

Jerry, I took the test 2 times so I could use the snipping tool to produce the photos. If the question is answered wrong they give you the correct answer and let you go to the next question, teaching as you progress :)

Edited to add link to where the test is located:

http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

Some additional information:

▪▪ 4103.5 Campfire Defined—“
Campfire” means a fire which is used for cooking,
personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial or aesthetic purposes. This includes fires
contained within outdoor fireplaces and enclosed stoves with flues or chimneys,
stoves using jellied, liquid, solid, or gaseous fuels, portable barbecue pits and
braziers, or space heating devices which are used outside any structure, mobile
home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle. “Campfire” does
not include portable lanterns designed to emit light resulting from a combustion
process.

Tulare Unit
Region Name Southern Region
Unit Information:
Unit Name Tulare Unit
Unit Chief Paul Marquez
Address1: 1968 S. Lovers Lane
City: Visalia
County: Tulare County
State: CA
Postal Code: 93292
Phone1: 559-732-5954

So I could cook on top of my lantern during a campfire ban? Loophole?

Not a loophole. From another thread:

Here is what it says in the Fire Restrictions:

Ken, are campfire permits checked when a GGG gathering takes place at Henry Cole?

Coe.
I'm like Ken, get my permit early so I don't forget later. Never been asked to show a permit, just a back country permit now and then.
It's dry already here, so be careful and loose the mentality that you always have a campfire when camping, and it can't happen to you. (Directed at everyone)
Duane

Thanks Duane, great advice. What's your opinion on the use of esbit when fire restrictions are in place?

Dan, I don't think that would be allowed, but changes have come down from what I've read. Best to call the FS or Park Service where you would be going, or when getting a permit where required, ask. Have a backup plan of course. A few years ago on a vacation trip to Desolation here in Kalifornia, it gave me an opportunity to take a vintage MSR stove. Small weight penalty and I got to use one of my classics. I plan on using a CC setup and the modified Starlyte later next week in Glacier.
Duane

Thanks Duane. My research is taking me in many directions. Getting educated to how folks feel about different aspects of the fire ban situations. Here is a quote from Ken T.

I quote Kent T.

At this years GGG gathering in California a burn ban was in affect but the park rangers allowed alcohol stoves to be used."

Not entirely true. I did not ask about alcohol/Esbit stove use when I was informed about the fire ban. No rangers visited our site that weekend.

A combination of don't ask, don't tell plus a little luck.

We did have a fire extinguisher on hand at the demos.

Last year or so someone set the Lost Coast on fire with their overzealous priming of a Whisperlite.

At least alcohol is non explosive and water soluble. Also comes from a renewable source.

Edited by kthompson on 05/04/2014 08:31:00 MDT.

or "easier to ask forgiveness than permission"

Jerry, not one individual from the Independent state of Kalifornia would forgive you ;)

New FS signage on roads to the woods, something like:
Before you start it, be prepared to fight it.
Also seen in my area on signs in front of Fire Departments on fire conditions, already shows "High". I live around 4,000' elev., town is at 3,400'.
Duane

Ban on the Lost Coast already.

It's contagious. It's up in Jerry's neck-o-the woods

Latest Burn Bans Washington State

Total Burn Ban Announced in Jefferson County July 1, 2015

King County Fire Danger Burn Ban in Effect June 22, 2015 June 26, 2015

Skagit County Burn Restrictions in Effect June 23, 2015 June 26, 2015

Whatcom County – Effective 8am Wednesday, June 17th Burn Ban In Effect June 26, 2015
Yakima County Fire Danger Burn Ban Effective June 19, 2015 June 25, 2015