Fire danger to be raised to 'very high' in Angeles National Forest

Beginning Sunday, the fire danger level in the Angeles National Forest will be raised from “high" to "very high,” authorities said today.

The change comes as summer weather continues to dry out vegetation and the region experiences an increase in fire activity,” said Stanton Florea, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.

“Grasses growing below 4,500 feet elevation have cured and are especially prone to fire,” Florea said in a statement.

Forest Service officials also are looking at the high number of visitors who will make their way into the forest this summer, because 91% of all wildfires in the forest are caused by humans.

Firefighters have responded to 79 wildfires in and around the forest since May 17, when the level was raised from moderate to high. The two largest fires -- the Island fire and the Tujunga fire -- have occurred within the last nine days, Florea said.

The Island fire broke out July 1, burning 75 acres. The Tujunga fire erupted July 5, destroying 210 acres. The causes of both fires are still under investigation. But as a result, officials are urging visitors to use common sense.

“Travelers through the forest should remain on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass,” Florea said in the statement.

Open wood and charcoal fires will be permitted only in developed campground and picnic areas, where fire rings and grills are located. A campfire permit will be required for those who want to use gas and propane power stoves and grills in backcountry areas.

Florea said those permits can be obtained free at all U.S. Forest Service offices and most visitor centers and fire stations. The “very high” danger level is the fourth in a six-level graduated rating system.

Several factors, such as moisture in vegetation, weather conditions and firefighting equipment needs, are considered when determining the fire danger level, Florea said.

-- Ruben Vives

Photo:The fire danger sign on the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge already displays the change from "high" to "very high" in the Angeles National Forest. (Mark Boster /Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[An old Fire Fighter]

"Several factors, such as moisture in vegetation, weather conditions and firefighting equipment needs, are considered when determining the fire danger level"

Don't forget about disgrunted firefighters...They need to create work.

[RP]

The USFS is still in unreality mode. "...91% of all wildfires in the forest are caused by humans." The implication is that they are caused by careless people and arsonists because they supply the ignition source. The reality is the fires are part of a natural cycle, caused by the buildup of fuel and the wet and dry cycles of the climate. A combination of fire suppression (led by the USFS) and idiotic building practices (depending on the success of suppression) has led to the real problems: huge fires destroying many permanent structures and sometimes killing people, too.