EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has eased fire restrictions, effective Monday Nov. 4, on public lands managed by the Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices. Fire restrictions were initiated on June 12 to curb the wildfire risk. Recreational target shooting and campfires are once again allowed on public lands with a valid campfire permit, unless otherwise posted.

The easing of fire restrictions applies to public lands managed in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

“Due to cooler fall weather conditions and declining wildfire danger, we are lifting seasonal fire restrictions,” advises Central California District Fire Management Officer Dave Brinsfield. “While weather conditions are no longer causing high wildfire danger, we still urge everyone to Recreate Responsibly to help minimize wildfire potential when visiting public lands.”

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildfire such as 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 BLM, USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

The statewide Fire Prevention Order remains in place for BLM-managed public lands in California. Recreational target 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. 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 can visit CAL FIRE’s website to learn how to prevent wildland fires. A map of current restrictions and active fire prevention orders are available online. Fire weather forecasts are available through the National Weather Service. For specific questions, please contact the appropriate field office or you may email Public Affairs Officer Philip Oviatt at poviatt@blm.gov.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mother Lode Field Office is temporarily closing motorized vehicle access to the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road in Mariposa County, where it crosses onto BLM lands, approximately one mile from the junction of Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road with Bear Valley Road. The closure is effective today, Thursday, August 15, and will be in effect until fire restrictions are lifted for the season. The closure of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road is not to be confused with the Hunter Valley Road which remains open. The Hunter Valley Road is located approximately two miles east of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road along Bear Valley Road. The temporary closure order can be found on the BLM website.

“This closure is necessary to protect public health and safety; and prevent wildfire,” said Mother Lode Field Manager Jeff Horn. During the recent Pedro Fire, which burned BLM lands along the northern portion of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road, it was discovered that target shooting was occurring in multiple locations along this road. Target shooting is not permitted during fire restrictions because hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire.

The temporary closure on Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road will remain in effect until seasonal fire restrictions are rescinded.

Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations. To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. Fire restrictions for all California BLM-managed public lands can be found on online. For more information, please visit the Mother Lode Field Office website or call 916-941-3101.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. —The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is easing seasonal fire restrictions as of today on approximately 230,000-acres of public lands in central California as the potential for wildland fire has subsided with cooler, wetter weather. Recreational target shooting and campfires are once again allowed on public lands with a valid campfire permit, unless otherwise posted. The rescinded fire order can be found here.

The easing of fire restrictions applies to public lands managed by the Mother Lode Field Office in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. The easing of restrictions also applies to BLM recreational areas along the American, Merced, Mokelumne, South Yuba and Tuolumne rivers.

“Safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and bucket of water; getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves; and following any posted signs or area-specific restrictions,” said Mother Lode Field Manager Jeff Horn.

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands. California campfire permits are available for free at the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices, or at ReadyForWildfire.org.

The statewide Fire Prevention Order remains in place for BLM-managed public lands in California.  Recreational target shooters are reminded that hot bullet fragments and exploding targets can spark a wildfire. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are prohibited on all BLM-managed public lands. Recreational target 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. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available here. For specific questions, please call the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.