News Release

 

For Release: Ocotber 11, 2002

Contact: Jeff Fontana, BLM, (530) 252-5332 or Leona Rodreick, Lassen National Forest,  (530) 252-6605

 

BLM LIFTING FIRE RESTRICTIONS OCT. 18

 

Fire restrictions on Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in northeastern California and extreme northwest Nevada will be lifted at midnight, Friday, Oct. 18.

 

The easing of restrictions affects public lands managed by the BLM's Alturas, Eagle Lake and Surprise (Cedarville) field offices.  It means that backcountry visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds, and woodcutters can operate chainsaws later than 1 p.m. each day.

 

Fire restrictions continue in effect for the Lassen National Forest because fire dangers in forested areas remain very high, fire officials said.  In the forest, firewood cutting is suspended and campfires are restricted to developed campgrounds.

 

"We are continuing to monitor conditions, and we will lift the restrictions when the fire danger subsides sufficiently," said Christie Whitcome, assistant fire management officer for the Lassen National Forest.

 

"On the high desert ranges managed by the BLM, the cooler temperatures and increasing relative humdity have helped to reduce fire dangers somewhat," said Jim Brown, regional fire management officer for the BLM.  "Forested areas take much longer to react to these improving weather conditions."

 

Brown cautioned that even in the high desert, fire dangers are still high, and visitors must use caution with fire.

 

"We have had no rain since spring, and vegetation is very dry.  There is still the potential for large fires," he said.

 

Fire officials said wildland visitors must keep campfires small and be sure they are dead out and cold to the touch before leaving camp.  Campfire permits are required.  Drivers must keep vehicles away from tall grass and brush, which could be ignited by hot exhaust systems, and chainsaws must be equipped with spark arresters.  Smoking materials must be disposed of in ashtrays.

 

For more information on fire restrictions, contact BLM offices in Susanville (257-5381), Alturas (233-4666) or Cedarville (279-6101), or the Lassen National Forest (257-2151).

           

Susanville Interagency Fire Center

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ! Lassen National Forest

Bureau of Land Management !  Lassen Volcanic National Park