Posted by Founder, Bicycling Monterey
California Wildfire Prevention—Camping and more
California has an increasingly long wildfire season. See current fires: https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/.
Please help prevent wildfires in the Monterey Bay Region and elsewhere! Tips on equipment use, debris burning, campfire safety and more at
https://www.fire.ca.gov/prevention.
Are you bikepacking or otherwise planning to camp outdoors? Camp only where allowed. And wherever campfires may sometimes be allowed, respect any and all campfire restrictions! See Campfire Safety tips from CalFire: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/. See other tips for campers—research leads on Camping in Monterey County.
In addition to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s San Benito-Monterey Unit (e.g., regional-unit-forester-contact-list-June-2026), the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, and Cachagua Fire serve the area. For a list of other firefighting agencies in Monterey County, refer to the county’s website:
Thank you to Cypress Fire, CalFire, Hollister Air Attack, Gabilan Crew from Soledad Prison, Monterey County Regional Fire, Monterey Airport Fire, Carmel Fire, County of Monterey Sheriff’s Offic, and County of Monterey Parks and Lakes Division for their rapid response in stopping forward progress of the Jack Fire near Jacks Peak Park on August 8, 2026, as reported by Ricardo Tovar for KSBW https://www.ksbw.com/article/vegetation-fire-jacks-peak-structures/73383874 and Bryan Flores, chief of County of Monterey’s Parks and Lakes Division.
NOTE: Camping is not permitted at Jacks Peak Park (day use only), and wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Please also respect that bicycling is not permitted on the Jacks Peak trails, only on the paved roads, which we wholeheartedly support.
This post was published on 9 August 2026.
