Effective July 24, 2026, fire danger levels have increased to “VERY HIGH” at the Angeles National Forest. The forest has taken this step to enhance public awareness that wildfire probability increases as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out. 
Despite the change, there are no new campfire restrictions. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved “developed” campgrounds and picnic areas where a USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings or stoves are provided. Propane or jelled gas stoves and grills are permitted in non-developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit. Smoking allowed in enclosed vehicles or developed recreation sites only.
Visitors to the Angeles National Forest, including recreational cabin owners and concessioners, are advised of the following:
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- All stoves and campfires require a valid California Campfire Permit. Get your campfire permit online at: permit.preventwildfiresca.org
- Campfires are allowed only at developed campgrounds in USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings and Klamath stoves. Klamath stoves look like wood-burning fireplaces that can be used for cooking or to generate warmth.
- Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed in USDA Forest Service-provided grills only in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
- Visitors may only bring gas grills (no charcoal grills) and use them in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas if all combustible (burnable) material is removed five feet from the base of the grill.
- Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as “backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed to be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. Users must possess a valid California Campfire Permit, even for use of a lantern or stove, and be in compliance with permit conditions.
- Shooting of guns is only allowed in designated shooting areas, except for hunters during legal hunting seasons. In addition, shooting of tracer, armor piercing, steel core, or Teflon ammunition is not allowed.
- Welding, grinding, cutting, and the use of explosives is only allowed with a proper permit.
- Remember, fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on public lands — every forest, every campsite, every day.