Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities

Mokelumne Wilderness

Blue Hole Area Fire Restrictions

This color topographic map illustrates the Salt Springs Reservoir and Blue Hole Trail area and indicates with red the area in which campfires have been restricted.

Why No Campfires?

The North Fork Mokelumne River Canyon is the dominant feature of the 104,500 acre Mokelumne Wilderness. The canyon is 3000-4000 feet deep in some areas. Its rugged nature provides unique and outstanding opportunities for solitude among central Sierra wilderness areas. As you hike the Blue Hole Trail, take a look around with wildland fire in mind.

The same features which give this canyon its rugged character also significantly increase the potential for extreme wildfire behavior. Fire burns faster uphill as heat rises to pre-heat and dry the fuels above the active flames. Notice how the shores of Salt Springs Reservoir rise sharply toward the ridgetops. These steep canyon walls are covered with a heavy fuel load of dead and down materials as well as healthy living trees. This dense timber stand and steep incline together create an environment that is prime for a slope-driven wildland fire to race quickly to the ridgeline with great intensity. These conditions are compounded by strong winds that regularly sweep up the canyon. A wildland fire in this canyon could present a serious threat to this striking wilderness resource. Campfires have been restricted in the area pictured above in order to limit the potential for wildland fire as outlined in the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service's Mokelumne Wilderness Management Guidelines: Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment, March 2000.

Help protect your Mokelumne Wilderness!