Camp stoves and lanterns in California

[Lassen]

Just a quick question, in CA due to some recent drought, I was wondering if the state has imposed restrictions on the use of camp stoves and lanterns that use white gas. I think I remember having been in areas where that had been the case due to the serious drought, not certain if state imposed or local government action to prevent use of white gas stoves and lanterns. And, I think restrictions were in place for those camping outside of designated campgrounds. Was wondering if I should consider converting my stove to propane and coming up with alternatives for lighting.


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[NightCrawler]

Check here for more info and get your fire permit for the year! Don't be caught without one. http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

 

[Anak]

I don't think Kali will care either way if it is white gas or propane. I have heard rumors that the Boy Scouts banned white gas, but doing a search it does not appear that is the case, although I can imagine they spend a good bit of time worrying about the creative fun boys can have with such an inspirational fuel at hand.

That said, I will recommend you take the time to look into LED lighting. I love my white gas stoves, and I don't see anything on the market that is likely to make me change my perspective there, but I switched over from my white gas lanterns and don't see myself going back until the zombie apocalypse. I am using some Black Diamond LED lanterns that are about the size of my fist, run on 4 AA batteries (I run Eneloops, have yet to have them die during a trip) and attract fewer bugs than the white gas lanterns. Oh, and they are silent too. No easily broken globes or frequently broken mantles. I can carry them into the tent and not worry about anything getting burned or melted. They are a winning proposition all the way around.

 

[SpikeMD]

Open fires are pretty much banned anywhere in California. Get a fire permit before you go, free and informative. So areas were restricting wood fires but allowing propane fire pits. We had to do this a few times during the rough years (2015,16).

I agree, LED lights are way more safe and portable than gas lanterns these days.

 

[Lassen]

Oh, yes, always a fire permit these days. One, want to have one for camping in areas that are not campgrounds, second, due to drought, even some campgrounds I’ve been to require fire permits. And, like you say, their free and informative.

And reading your point about propane fire pits, that may be what I recall hearing about, not requiring propane stoves and lanterns. But I do think looking into alternative lighting would be a great idea. More batteries, but easy on, no heat, no CO2, no having to carry fuel for a lantern.

Good points!

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[HellsAngler]

Every area is different. You should call the closest ranger station to where you plan to camp/have fire and check the current regulations. Most places still have a fire ban. You need a fire permit to run a stove or camp fire and to my knowledge the fuel doesnt matter but the stove and lanterns just need to have some kind of switch to turn fuel on/off.

 

[TOUGE]

It all depends on the National Park/Forest/Monument/BLM/State Park, I know Angeles NF has a total fire ban, that includes all devices that have a flame, so no open or closed flames at all. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd568359.pdf

San Bernardino NF no is fires or flames except in developed recreation sites, https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd570526.pdf

You need the campfire permit posted above if you want a campfire or cook with a flame in dispersed campsite in all Californian National Forests and Monuments and BLM land and always check with ranger on the current fire conditions as they can change VERY quickly. Usually with fire restrictions the parks are very good with posting them on their websites in a timely manner(not like road closures).