The Eldorado National Forest is preparing for one of the biggest recreation weekends of the year. Other than the Wrights Lake, Woods Lake and Blue Lakes campgrounds, all recreation facilities in the forest will be open.

“It is important that we all take responsibility to keep wildfire out of the forest,” Fire Prevention Officer Barbara Rebiskie said in a statement. “Visitors need to know that all types of fireworks are illegal in a National Forest. Citations will be issued to violators that have any fireworks.”

Wood, charcoal, and propane fires are allowed in the Eldorado National Forest with a 2010 California Campfire permit at this time. These permits are free and can be obtained at any U.S. Forest Service, CalFire, or Bureau of Land Management office. Visitors must completely extinguish their campfire if they are not in camp. They can also help by educating others about fire danger and reporting abandoned or illegal fires to 911 or to the nearest ranger.

The Eldorado will be staffing extra patrols and patrolling after dark this weekend.

Motor vehicle use on the Eldorado National Forest is allowed only on the designated routes displayed on the free Motor Vehicle Use Map that is available at all Eldorado National Forest offices. Visitors planning to camp outside of developed campgrounds must park their vehicle on or within ne vehicle length of a system route.

More information on recreation opportunities and fire restrictions is available on the Eldorado National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado.