For Release: July 18, 2002
Contact: Keith Barker, (831) 630-5029
CCal-02-59

BLM Imposes Fire Restrictions

Severe fire danger has led to restrictions being placed on public land managed by the Hollister Field Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. No campfires or open flames will be allowed on BLM lands in the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Stanislaus, effective July 26.

BLM-Field Manager Robert Beehler says the restrictions are needed because of extreme fire danger throughout Central California.. "A wildfire under these conditions could pose a serious threat to public land visitors and resources, and adjacent private lands and communities," said Beehler.

According to BLM-Fire Management Officer Keith Barker, all campfires and barbeques, even within camp sites, are prohibited. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel are okay with a valid California Campfire Permit, but the public is asked to be extremely careful with their use.

Other restrictions include no smoking except in enclosed vehicles or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Vehicle travel is restricted to established roads and trails which have no vegetation which may come in contact with the under carriage or exhaust system of the vehicle. Any internal combustion engine operated on public lands must have a properly installed and maintained spark arrester.

Barker explained that Central California received only about one third of normal precipitation this past winter, and the grass and brush are extremely dry. "We are experiencing conditions similar to what might be expected very late in the season," according to Barker.

For further information on the fire restrictions, contact the Bureau of Land Management Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000.

-BLM-
Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95023