Mendocino forest bans open fires starting Tuesday

Open fires, including grills, campfires, and even cigarettes smoked outside of vehicles, will be banned in much of the Mendocino National Forest starting Tuesday because of dry conditions and the threat of wildfires, the National Forest Service said Monday.

The only exceptions will be in certain designated recreational areas, including several in Lake and Mendocino counties.

Fires will be allowed in the following facilities in Lake County's Upper Lake Ranger District:Fuller Grove, Fuller Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek, Penny Pines and Lower Nye Campgrounds and Lake Pillsbury Summer Home Sites.

They will also be allowed the following facilities in Mendocino County's Covelo Ranger District: Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake, Howard Meadows, Atchison, Green Springs and Hammerhorn Lake Campgrounds.

Violations of the burn ban can result in fines of up to $5,000 per person and up to six months in jail.

For more information, call (530)934-3316, or visit fs.usda.gov/Mendocino.

-Sean Scully