The fire season seems to have gotten an early start in Southern California and the Angeles National Forest has raised its fire danger level to high.

This level change means that forest visitors need to be careful using open flames.

“People can have fires and use barbeques but only in the provided enclosure,” said Dee Dechart Spokesperson for Angeles National Forest. “Rock ring fires are not enclosed and probably don’t have clearance, so we try and stay away from rock ringed fires, period.”

In addition to the Angeles National Forest service increasing their fire danger, LA County fire is also keeping a watchful eye out for fires.

LA County Fire began their brush clearance inspections on May 1.

These inspections are done to ensure that business and home owners are safe if a fire does happen.

LA County Fire Capitan Scott Polgar advises that homeowners not only adhere to the minimum standards of brush clearance, which can range from 35 feet to 300 feet depending on the area, but also check eaves and attic vents as well.

“Often times its not the vegetation that’s burning around a structure that poses a problem, but it’s the hundreds of thousands or millions of embers that are blowing with the wind that catch under eaves and blow into attics,” said Capitan Polgar.

For homeowners who are landscaping their properties, LA County Fire offers a free service where someone from their forestry section will come to a home and offer advice on drought-tolerant plants and “fire-wise” landscaping.

For more information on the Angeles National Forest click here or for fire prevention tips click here .