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Monterey Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
ClosureSafety brief
Updated
Very high fire danger today.
The Plaskett fire is 29,862 acres and 61% contained, while the Timber fire is 25,380 acres and 27% contained; both fires are growing but becoming more contained. Fire danger is very high in the Monterey Ranger District. Backcountry campfires are prohibited, but campfires are allowed at designated sites like Arroyo Seco and Kirk Creek. Propane stoves are permitted with a valid campfire permit, but target shooting is restricted to authorized ranges and hunting. Always check current conditions and specific campground rules before your visit.
Restrictions
Campfires and Stoves
Equipment and Work
Shooting and Closures
Backcountry campfiresProhibited
Backcountry campfires prohibited forest-wide except at designated campfire use sites.
Exceptions
- Valid CA Campfire Permit holders may use portable lanterns or stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel
- Federal/State/local officers and organized rescue/fire-fighting forces in official duty
Campground campfiresAllowed
Campfires allowed at designated campfire use sites including Arroyo Seco, China Camp, Escondido, Kirk Creek, Nacimiento, Plaskett Creek, Ponderosa, and others.
Conditions
- Only at designated campfire use sites listed in Exhibit A
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted
Propane and pressurized fuel stoves allowed for valid CA Campfire Permit holders.
Conditions
- Valid CA Campfire Permit required
Target shootingProhibited
Firearm discharge prohibited except at authorized public shooting ranges and for lawful hunting.
Exceptions
- Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club (authorized public shooting ranges)
- Lawful hunting during open season with valid CA hunting license
Forest closures and access limitsProhibited
San Carpoforo Beach: overnight camping and campfires prohibited.
Conditions
- Applies to all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to mean high tide line in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6 East
Exceptions
- Federal/State/local law enforcement and organized rescue/fire-fighting forces in official duty
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
8max avg 1.4 µg/m³ around 2 AM
Good wildfire smoke
Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.
| Local time | District average | p10 | p90 | Estimated AQI* | Smoke category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 7:00 PM | 0.7 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 1.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈4 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0.8 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 1.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈4 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 0.9 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 1.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈5 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 1.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈6 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 1.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈6 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 1.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 1.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈7 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 1.4 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 2.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈8 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 1.4 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈8 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 0.9 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | 1.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈5 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 0.7 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.7 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈4 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 1 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 2.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈6 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 0.7 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 1.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈4 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0.6 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.7 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0.6 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0.6 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0.4 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0.4 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0.4 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0.4 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.
Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)Recent changes
30-day fire danger history
Last 30 days
Stable at Very High since Aug 11.
Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.
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