The Los Padres National Forest's ban on recreational shooting will continue into this summer.
Officials announced Wednesday that the Forest Order "prohibiting recreational shooting except in permitted gun ranges" has been extended until June 30.
The extension is to provide for public safety due to continued high fire danger and the potential for a fire to be sparked by target shooting.
Officials say long-range weather models have consistently shown well below normal rainfall totals and drier than average weather — meaning fires could start weeks earlier than usual.
Under this Forest Order, "discharging a firearm is prohibited except in the designated target ranges at the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club."
Violations of this order are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
