The discovery of an abandoned illegal campfire has prompted a stern warning from officials with Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Wednesday afternoon a smoke column brought firefighters to Caldwell Lakes near the Pacific Crest Trail. The escaped campfire was still small and had a slow rate of spread, but there have been major fires in years past that started this way. With restrictions that have been in effect since the start of the month, fires are only legal in designated campfire sites. At Lake Shasta, Trinity Lake and Iron Canyon Reservoir, fires are allowed with a campfire permit within 10 feet of the water and at least 50 feet from vegetation. In any case, when leaving camp, a fire should be doused with water, and the coals stirred, and it should be cold to the touch before being left alone.
-Steve Gibson