U.S. Forest Service-Stanislaus National Forest

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Welcome to the Stanislaus National Forest where adventure awaits you!

The National Forest Foundation (NFF), chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife.

10/31/2026

Cooler fall weather brings forest pile burning 🔥🍂

Stanislaus crews will be conducting pile burning operations across all districts in the forest, including along Highway 108. Smoke and pile burning may be visible from the highway. Please exercise caution while driving near fire crews. Burn operations will be ongoing throughout the weekend and into next week.(Forest Service photos courtesy of Eric Daniel)

10/31/2026

Stanislaus National Forest issues temporary road closure for portion of Forest Road No. 1S03

SONORA, Calif., (Oct. 30, 2026)—The Stanislaus National Forest has issued a forest order temporarily closing a portion of Forest Road No. 1S03 (Sawmill Mountain Road) between the intersections of 18EV432 and 1S04., Nov. 2, 2026, through Dec. 2, 2026.
The reason for the closure is to accommodate the road repair work as part of the ongoing Groveland Storm damage project, including the installation of multiple large culverts.
This order will be in effect until repairs are complete and if the Forest determines that the area is safe for public use, the order may be partially or wholly terminated prior to December 2, 2026.
Maps and full forest order can be found https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/stanislaus/alerts/stanislaus-national-forest-issues-temporary-road-closure-portion-forest-road

Questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel, [email protected] or 209-288-6261.

10/30/2026

It’s firewood season! As their air cools down and you begin harvesting, buying, and using firewood to heat your home, please remember:

Invasive pests—like tree-killing beetles and leaf-eating insects—can travel in firewood. The best way to prevent their spread: Buy or harvest (with a permit) where you burn it

Use heat-treated firewood if you must move it. Even short-distance travel can spread pests unless firewood has been properly treated.
Protect our forests. Don’t move firewood!

Photos: Region 5 Forest Pathologist Martin Mackenzie inspects trees for white pine blister rust.

10/30/2026

Stanislaus National Forest Terminates Fire Restrictions in High and Moderate Hazard Areas

Sonora, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2026) – Citing both recent and predicted precipitation as well as generally cooler over-night temperatures, fire managers with the Stanislaus National Forest have terminated fire restriction orders in High and Moderate Hazard Areas: Forest Orders STF-16-2026 11 and 12

“Temperatures are trending cooler, and above normal precipitation is highly likely, with the potential for an extremely wet fall and winter season due to a strong El Nino,” noted Deputy Forest Fire Management Officer, Clint Gould.

Questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel, [email protected] or 209-288-6261.

10/29/2026

to the hidden stories beneath our feet! 🍂🎃👻

October is the perfect month to celebrate the abandoned, buried, overgrown, and long forgotten places that shaped our forest’s history.

We are very proud to announce that three historic sites on the Stanislaus National Forest were listed on the National Register of Historic Places! The newly listed sites are Camp Bumblebee #1, Camp Crandall-in-the-Hole, and The Sugar Pine Railway System (railfans rejoice!).

These sites were used by logging companies to house and haul equipment, products, and workers and their families. While today these sites are silent, they were once bustling with activity, evidence that has been left behind include hygiene products, the remains of cabins, and work areas, tools, and cooking supplies.

These new additions join fellow listed Stanislaus treasures such as Cooper Cabin, Yellowhammer Camp, Strawberry Work Station, Baker Highway Station, Camp Niagara, Bower Cave, Golden Rock Ditch, and several pre contact sites.

This is a big deal! Only the most significant sites earn a place on the National Register, and the process is truly an ordeal. We’re grateful to our archaeology team, whose dedication and countless hours of documentation make honors like this possible.

Honoring the past helps us protect the future and today, we’re celebrating another huge step in preserving our forest’s story. 🌲

10/28/2026

Happy 🦇 Did you know that California has a state bat?

The Pallid Bat is California's official state bat, found in diverse environments across the state, it also calls the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada home, so you may spot them in the Stanislaus!

These leathery little fellows may look scary flying high or diving in and out of caves, but admit it, they're also kinda cute (I mean look at those little toes!)

They are not only natural pest control, eating mosquitos and other insects, but bats also eat bark beetles and wood borers, helping keep trees healthy and reducing the risk of wildfires in forests.

Photos: Ryan Kalinowski, Wildlife Biologist for the Sugar Pine Ranger District examines a Pallid bat. (Photos courtesy of Ryan Kalinowski).

10/28/2026

Celebrate the season with Smokey and Woodsy! Afterall, there’s nothing scarier than a pile of litter or a wildfire-

Download our FREE pumpkin carving stencils featuring Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, and spooky bats!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/learn/coloring-pages

10/27/2026

Happy Belated National Mule Day!

Yesterday, Oct 26th was National Mule Day, and we owe a shoutout to our A-Team, our string of pack mules that works all season across the region to assist fire crews, and help preserve true wilderness experiences where modern technology can’t reach.

Last summer was no exception, our mules were busy bringing load of supplies to the firefighters on the Woods Fire in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness on the Stanislaus National Forest and the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park

Thank you to every mule and their lead packer, John Sprik, for all their hard work keeping our backcountry accessible!

10/21/2026

Caltrans D10 will have temporary highway closures in place for SR-4/ , SR-89/ , & SR-108/ beginning tomorrow (10/21/26).

Due to incoming weather this week Caltrans will have temporary pass closures in place for the following:

State Route 4/ - Alpine & Calaveras Counties | 10/21/26 @ 8AM, No ETO. | Lake Alpine -> Raymond Meadows

State Route 89/ - Alpine & Mono Counties | 10/21/26 @ 12pm, No ETO | US 395 -> SR-4/89 Junction

State Route 108/ - Tuolumne & Mono Counties | 10/21/26 @ 8AM, No ETO | Kennedy Meadows -> Brownie Creek

For real-time winter HWY updates & road conditions w Caltrans QuickMap app on mobile devices!

Caltrans HQ Caltrans District 9 CHP - San Andreas CHP - Sonora CHP - Amador CHP - South Lake Tahoe US National Weather Service Reno Nevada U.S. Forest Service-Stanislaus National Forest CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit Alpine County Sheriff's Office Alpine County California Calaveras Enterprise The Union Democrat Calaveras County Sheriff's Office Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Calaveras Council of Governments Calaveras Big Trees Association Tuolumne County Sheriff Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce Visit Tuolumne County Bear Valley Resort Tuolumne County, CA - County Government Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services

10/19/2026

Stanislaus National Forest to Begin Pile Burning Across the Forest

SONORA, California, (Oct. 9, 2026) – As summer weather turns to fall and winter, firefighters on the Stanislaus National Forest will begin pile burning operations across the forest.
Beginning as soon as this week, based on weather, crews will begin pile burning on the Calaveras, Sugar Pine and Groveland Ranger Districts.
Staff will be prioritizing piles adjacent to communities and infrastructure along the Highway 4, 108 and 120 corridors and areas within the forest that receive high recreation usage, starting at the highest elevations first due to potential travel restrictions from snow accumulation.
What does this mean for you?
During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.
To learn more about wildfire smoke, please visit the Stanislaus National Forest’s Smoke Ready Page
All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
Visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.
Weather conditions are evaluated regularly, up to hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
For more information, contact Stanislaus National Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel at [email protected].

Last updated October 19, 2026

Address

19777 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA
95370

Telephone

+12095323671

Website

http://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus

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