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Fire Restrictions for Santa Barbara Front Country
Fire restrictions are still in effect in the Santa Barbara front country. This prohibition will remain in effect through Feb 26, 2026.
NOTE: This prohibition does not include the following campgrounds on the Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Ranger Districts: Fremont, Paradise, Los Prietos, Upper Oso, Figueroa Mountain, Davy Brown and Nira.
Campfires are prohibited on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara front country due to the increasing fire danger and the potential threat to downslope communities.
Over the past 15 years, eight large wildfires have directly impacted the front country communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria. Extreme fire weather events are now occurring year-round and are compounded by the long-term, severe drought affecting Central and So. California.
Front country visitors possessing a valid CA Campfire Permit will be permitted to use portable lanterns or stoves that run on propane, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
Alert Start Date: February 27th, 2024
Alert End Date: February 26th, 2026
Order Number: 05-07-54-24-03
Associated Documents
Forest Order
FOREST ORDER NO. 05-07-54-24-03 FIRE USE RESTRICTIONS
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara front country, as described below, and all user trails within the identified fire use restriction area. This Superseding Order is effective from February 27, 2024, through February 26, 2026.
I. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Area. The boundary of the Fire Use Restriction Area begins in the west at the intersection of the Los Padres National Forest boundary and Nina Place, the continues east along Nina Place to its intersection with Forest Service Road 5Nl 9, then continues northeast along Road 5Nl 9 to its intersection with Forest Service Road 5Nl2 (Refugio Rd, West Camino Cielo), then continues east along Road 5N12/West Camino Cielo to its intersection with San Marcos Pass Rd, then continues north along San Marcos Pass Rd to its intersection with East Camino Cielo, then continues east along East Camino Cielo to its intersection with Gibraltar Rd, then continues east along Gibraltar Rd to its intersection with East Camino Cielo, then continues east along East Camino Cielo to its intersection with Romero Camuesa Rd, then continues east along Romero Camuesa Rd to its intersection with Divide Peak OHV Route, then continues east along Divide Peak Route to its intersection with the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line, then continues south along the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line to the Los Padres National Forest boundary, then continues west along the Los Padres National Forest boundary back to the start, as shown on the attached map. The north side of the closure boundary extends 300 feet to the north of West Camino Cielo and East Camino Cielo, and the Hot Springs above the community of Montecito.
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
l. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them from this Order.
- Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire permit may use portable lanterns or stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
This Order supersedes Order No. 05-07-54-22-04, dated February 24, 2022. Executed in SOLVANG, California this 26th day of February, 2024.
Christopher J. Stubbs
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest