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Kern River Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
Stage 2Safety brief
Updated
Very high fire danger today.
Fire danger is very high in the Kern River Ranger District. Backcountry campfires are prohibited forest-wide, and propane stoves require a California Campfire Permit and must be used at least five feet from flammable materials. Welding and torches with open flames are also prohibited. Check current conditions and specific campground regulations before your trip.
Restrictions
Campfires and Stoves
Equipment and Work
Shooting and Closures
Backcountry campfiresProhibited
Backcountry campfires prohibited forest-wide.
Exceptions
- Federal, State, or local officers and organized rescue/fire fighting forces in official duty
- Persons with valid California Campfire Permit may use propane-fueled campfire pit with on/off switch in area at least 5 feet from flammable materials (wood-burning prohibited)
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted
Propane stoves and lanterns allowed with valid California Campfire Permit; must have shut-off valve and be 5+ feet from flammable materials.
Conditions
- Valid California Campfire Permit required
- Stove or lantern must use gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel with shut-off valve, or propane-fueled campfire pit with on/off switch
- Location must be at least 5 feet from any flammable materials
- Wood-burning campfire pits prohibited
Welding and grindingProhibited
Welding and acetylene torches with open flame prohibited forest-wide.
Exceptions
- Federal, State, or local officers and organized rescue/fire fighting forces in official duty
- Persons with Forest Service non-special use written authorization for non-recreational activities (timber harvesting, forest products, grazing livestock)
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
0max avg 0 µg/m³ around 6 PM
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 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈0 | 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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