By Cathy Locke, Sacramento Bee

Eldorado National Forest officials are gearing up for a busy Independence Day holiday and report that all facilities in the forest will be open, including the newly renovated Gerle Creek and South Fork Group campgrounds.

The Gerle Creek campground renovation was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the federal stimulus program. The South Fork Group Campground project was selected by the El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee from more than 100 projects to be funded with Title 2 Secure Rural School Act monies and was accomplished with the help of volunteers, according to a Forest Service news release.

Although the Fourth of July is typically celebrated with fireworks, officials remind visitors that all types of fireworks are illegal in the National Forest, due to the risk of wildfire.

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