SUSANVILLE, Calif. – With the return of cool, fall weather, the Bureau of Land Management has rescinded fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Applegate and Eagle Lake field offices in Lassen, Modoc, and Plumas counties, the eastern parts of Shasta and Siskiyou counties in northeast California, and in parts of Washoe and Humboldt counties in northwest Nevada.

Easing of fire restrictions means that campfires are again allowed.  Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds on BLM-managed lands in California. They are available free online and at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

“Even though we are experiencing fall weather conditions, people using the public lands still need to be careful with all uses of fire,” said Dereck Wilson, manager of the BLM’s Northern California District. “Campers should always keep campfires small and fully extinguish them when leaving a campsite.”

Year-found fire restrictions remain in place for BLM-managed public lands in California.  These orders required that a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and be free of overhead flammable material before a campfire is used. The order requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.

More information about use of fire on public lands is available from the BLM Applegate Field Office,

530-233-4666, or the Eagle Lake Field Office, 530-257-0456. Termination of the Fire Prevention Orders can be reviewed online for Applegate and Eagle Lake field offices.

REDDING, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management has rescinded its fire restrictions order for public lands managed by the Arcata and Redding field offices in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Shasta, Butte, Tehama and Siskiyou counties. Hourly limits on use of internal combustion engines off roads and trails and on recreational target shooting also have been lifted.

“Although cooler weather and the start of the rainy season have reduced fire dangers it is still important to be careful with any use of fire outdoors” said Dereck Wilson, manager of the BLM Northern California District.

Lifting restricts means that campfires are once again allowed outside of developed recreation sites. Users must have a valid California Campfire Permit, available at www.readyforwildfire.org, or at any BLM, Forest Service or Cal Fire office.

The California year-round statewide fire prevention order remains in place for public lands managed by the BLM. Termination of the Fire Prevention Orders can be reviewed online for Arcata and Redding field offices.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The California Desert District is lifting seasonal fire restrictions as of Thurs., Oct. 24, by midnight, to safely allow campfires and target shooting on BLM-managed public lands in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties. Restrictions on smoking will also be lifted on BLM-managed public lands within San Diego, eastern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino, and eastern Los Angeles counties.

“We continue to ask the public to practice safety and awareness when using fire or participating in recreational target shooting on public lands,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch.  

Use of campfires, barbecues and gas stoves on BLM-managed public lands will be allowed with a valid California campfire permit. Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds and are available for free online at ReadyForWildfire.org and at the BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

During Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, as determined by the National Weather Service, all recreational target shooting and use of campfires will be suspended to reduce the potential of unintended wildland fire ignitions. Check with your local BLM Field Office for more information on specific locations.

Year-round fire restrictions including the statewide Fire Prevention Order and the California Desert District Year-Round Fire Prevention Order, will remain in place for all BLM-managed public lands in California. Year-round fire restrictions require a year-round campfire permit, maintaining a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires, guidance for extinguishing campfires on BLM-managed public lands in California and prohibit the possession and use of steel jacketed or steel core ammunition and all campfires and recreational target shooting during any Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.

The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution when using fire and to follow these precautions:

• Always have a five-foot circle cleared around your campfire.
• Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving.
• Never use steel targets, steel jacketed or steel core ammunition for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.
• Always park vehicles away from areas where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite.

Visit the California Fire Information and Fire Restrictions website for an interactive map and listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California. For alternative recreational target shooting locations visit WhereToShoot.org.

For more BLM information about wildfire prevention, please contact the California Desert District Office at 951-697-5200; Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000; El Centro Field Office at 760-337-4400; Needles Field Office at 760-326-7000; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at 760-833-7100; or Ridgecrest Field Office at 760-384-5400.

REDDING, Calif.— The Bureau of Land Management has lifted an emergency closure order on public roads, trails and facilities in the Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area north of Red Bluff, as dangers from the Park Fire have been reduced.

The BLM has also issued a temporary restriction on target shooting in the Spring Branch area of the Bend, citing ongoing region-wide high fire danger. The order will be rescinded when fire dangers ease.

“Fire crews have done outstanding work completing containment lines on the west side of the fire that threatened the Bend Area, and we feel the closure can be lifted,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office. “However, ongoing extreme fire dangers and depleted fire fighting resources in the Bend Area dictate the need for the target shooting closure. We also ask people to remember that seasonal fire restrictions are in place.”

The outstanding natural area stretches includes river frontage and oak woodlands stretching from the Jelly’s Ferry area north of Red Bluff to the Anderson Area.
 

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. –  The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Office is lifting the emergency closure of the Creek Campground, a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and Canebrake Road in Tulare County.  The closures were in place for public and firefighter safety in relation to the management of the SQF Lightning Complex Fire and are no longer necessary due to the lack of fire progression.  The closures are lifted as of Tues., Aug. 13.  Long Valley Campground and Long Valley Loop road remain closed. 

The SQF Lightning Complex Fire started Tuesday, July 13, and has burned more than 32,000 acres of short grass and brush near the Chimney Peak Recreation Area.  The Trout Fire is 70 percent contained; the Long Fire is 98 percent contained; resources remain on the ground and both fires are being monitored by air.

Public and wildland firefighter safety are the BLM’s highest priority.  Be aware firefighting crews and emergency vehicles remain in the area.  For the latest information on the SQF Lightning Complex Fire, visit InciWeb.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is lifting fire restrictions on December 1 for approximately 650,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Tulare counties, due to reduced wildland fire conditions. The fire order can be found on the BLM website.

“Easing of fire restrictions will also affect all BLM-managed recreational areas,” said Bakersfield Field Manager Gabriel Garcia. “These include the Carrizo Plain National Monument, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows, Keysville, Lake Isabella, San Joaquin River Gorge and Three Rivers.”

The public is reminded to remain cautious when recreating on public lands to prevent wildland fires. For more information, visit readyforwildfire.org/Prevent-Wildfire. Safety tips include not driving a vehicle onto dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and bucket of water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. Free California campfire permits are available at all BLM, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service offices and online at the CAL FIRE website.

Recreational shooters are reminded that hot bullet fragments and exploding targets can spark a wildfire. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are not allowed on BLM-managed public lands. Consider using paper targets to eliminate sparks. All shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, can be held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs. Homeowners are reminded to keep 100 feet of clean open space around homes to provide defensible space.

The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities it serves, providing opportunities for economic growth with space for traditional uses such as ranching, mining and energy development, as well as hunting and fishing.

For more information, call the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000 or email BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov.

MARINA, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is lifting its seasonal fire restrictions on December 4 for approximately 300,000 acres of public land due to reduced wildland fire potential. The easing of seasonal fire restrictions applies to public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties. Recreational target shooting and campfires will once again be allowed on public lands with a valid campfire permit, unless otherwise posted. The rescinded fire order can be viewed at the BLM website.

Motorized access is still restricted at the Panoche Hills Special Recreation Management Area in Fresno and San Benito counties. While allowing recreational activities by non-motorized access, the continued road restriction is required to protect the endangered blunt nosed leopard lizards as they are released into restored habitat, prevent destruction of plant and wildlife habitat, and protect and preserve ongoing scientific studies. Please review the closure order that restricts vehicle access at the Panoche Hills Special Recreation Management Area.

 
“Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites,” said Central Coast Field Manager Zachary Ormsby. “However, we want to remain vigilant, and all do our part to prevent wildfires and promote ongoing scientific restoration efforts.” 

Visitors are responsible for recreating in a safe manner, and must avoid damaging natural resources, signs, or facilities. Shooting is strictly prohibited in developed recreation sites and other areas where posted. Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass, and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands. Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are available free online or at the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices. Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, can be held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs.

For more information on preventing wildfires and additional tips for keeping campfires and target shooting safe, visit ReadyForWildfire.org or call the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200. The field office can also provide additional information on public lands available for target shooting.