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Santa Lucia Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
Stage 3Safety brief
Updated
Very high fire danger today.
Fire danger is very high in the Santa Lucia Ranger District. Backcountry campfires are prohibited forest-wide, except at designated sites. Wood and charcoal fires are restricted in the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area. Propane stoves are allowed with a valid campfire permit and shut-off valve in the West Cuesta area. 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. Wood/charcoal campfires prohibited in West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area.
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 American Canyon, Baja, Bates Canyon, Brookshire, Buck Spring, Cerro Alto, Davy Brown, Figueroa, Friis, Hi Mountain, Horseshoe Spring, La Panza, Miranda Pine, Nira, Paradise, and Wagon Flat.
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 with shut-off valve in West Cuesta area.
Conditions
- Valid CA Campfire Permit required
- In West Cuesta area: shut-off valve required, at least 3 feet from flammable materials
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
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
2max avg 0.3 µg/m³ around 4 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 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.7 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.8 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.6 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0.3 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈2 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | 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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