Ashley National Forest has announced that starting July 2nd, fire restrictions are in place. The restrictions include no building fires outside of a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area; no smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, developed recreation site, or area cleared of all flammable material; no operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device in working order; and no cutting, grinding, or welding metal in areas of vegetation. Fire crews will be conducting additional patrols in the Ashley National Forest. Visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with any activity that could start a fire. Remember to always have a full bucket of water close to the campfire, always have a shovel on hand, always put fires out before going to bed or leaving camp, drown fires and stir the ashes till dead, never leave a campfire unattended, and never have a campfire when it is windy, hot and dry.
