I just spoke with the NFS Supervisor for S.B. National Forest (who is also the Public Affairs Officer). I also reviewed the current status of the Line fire (57% contained as of Saturday morning 21 SEP), also all Evacuation Warnings have been lifted.

– The exemption for Residents is to allow them to use the roads that are closed (to everyone else) so they can access their homes & businesses.

– Any exemptions DO NOT apply to non-essential activities or recreation of ANY kind.  So even Locals would be cited for hiking, camping, off-roading, anything and yes, flying.

– The NFS recognizes that they cannot close Airspace but that does NOT mean we can or should fly.  We know and they know that the intent of the CSS to close Free Flight with respect to Forest Closure Orders has more to do with preventing a situation that could require Emergency Services (a helicopter rescue in the forest) that would distract those resources from the larger fire fighting effort and risk starting another fire.

– The NFS PAO encourages CSS members to be patient as the Line fire situation is actively managed and the NFS order could be narrowed, limited, or rescinded at any time before NOV 30.

Mark, nobody thanked you because you didn’t clarify a single thing.  The forest order is clear and CSS will observe it.  You’re welcome to call the NFS Supervisor’s office and tell the Public Affairs Officer that he’s just a social director and his word doesn’t hold much legal weight… good luck with that.

The Line Fire is now 75% contained.  As we approach the end of September I expect there is good chance that NFS will shrink the footprint of the closure area and ease some restrictions.  I’m in active communications with the SB NFS Supervisor’s Office and the Ranger in Charge.

Keep in mind what I said above is an optimistic view due to successful fire-fighting efforts on the part of CAL Fire and participating agencies.  To be realistic (or pessimistic if that’s better fit), there is an equal chance that the NFS will keep the entire SB National Forest closed for the immediate future just to mitigate the risk of another fire.  The best thing we can hope for that would prevent that reality is RAIN.  A healthy dose of moisture on the dry vegetation in the mountains would ease the fire risk condition and encourage opening things back up to the public.  Stay tuned…

I spoke with the NFS again on Wednesday, a lady from the Washington DC HQ who has been dispatched to help with the fires.

She said that she agreed that the language in the order was ambiguous & vague, she apologized for it but said that by the time they release any new superseding orders or corrections all this will probably be over anyway.

People or Instructors from our club are not the only parties who have questioned the order, they are fielding calls from many businesses on the mountain who are asking permission to operate.  Unfortunately they aren’t considering any exceptions for anyone right now.  The time would take to go through the administrative process to approve any special permissions or access would probably exceed the NOV 30 planned end date, and its likely that the order will be turned down a few notches before then anyway.

There were two flare ups on Thursday and Friday so that has only proven the NFS position that this isn’t over yet and there is still significant risk.  The best thing we can hope for is some rain to improve their ‘outlook’ on the situation and consider relaxing restrictions.

I’ve confirmed with NFS the details of the updated closure order and we will be able to open CSS for site flying. XC flights will be limited because we can’t go into the airspace of the closure area. Please stand by while we create a post that has the current maps and details. In a nutshell, we are able to use the launches and we can open for site flying, only XC routes will be to the west of launches. Give us some time to make the updates and be sure you clearly understand where the no-go zone is before you run out and launch!

Admin, go ahead and close this thread.  I’ll make a new post about the limited opening.