High Sierra Topix

Yep, I'm aware of fire restrictions, I live in the Plumas NF, been bping since mid 70's. Just wanted to know which specific area banned white gas in established campgrounds.
Duane

White gas is not banned anywhere unless stoves are...

Yes, I live in timber country, Plumas NF.
Duane

On FS lands there are stages of fire restrictions. The highest stage is a total ban on open flames (which includes smoking anything on the trail or in camp), and no off road internal combustion engine use. A lesser ban is no campfires outside of designated campgrounds, but stoves are OK.

I have not heard of any liquid fuel stove ban. I suspect it would be for any spilled fuel, not fire risk. A FS study several years ago found traces of liquid stove fuel in the soil at a popular wilderness campsite, and traces in an adjacent lake.

I would suggest checking out the Ventana Wilderness Alliance site (ventanawild dot org). They post updates to NF fire restrictions.

Might the liquid fuel issue be related to a stove without a shutoff valve ? I like to use a lightweight alcohol stove, but since I only backpack there during the cool wet months it isn't an issue.

Think about how many flare ups you've seen/had using a white gas stove. You can know what you're doing from experience, but it still happens. And then there's always more people than not that have no idea what they're doing, freak out, and turn the stove, everything around it, and often their gear as well, into a conflagration. Throw in some dry coastal chaparral, and how hard it is for them to put ground crews on the scene, and it's no wonder they want to ban it. I've used white gas seasonally for years, and that's why I always use a squirt of alcohol for preheating before I even turn the valve on. That, and the fact that I hate cleaning sooty stoves.