For Release: October 22, 2004 CCAL-05-09
Contact: Mike Chiodini (831) 630-5029

Bureau of Land Management Lifts Fire Restrictions

Robert Beehler, Field Manager with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), announced October 20, 2004 that due to the onset of rainy weather, the Hollister Field Office has lifted the fire restrictions on all BLM managed public lands within the Hollister Field Office boundary. This includes the Tumey, Griswold, and Panoche Hills.

According to Fire Management Officer Mario Marquez, the visiting public can now have open campfires and barbeque fires, even within camp sites on the public lands. Continued use of portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel can be used on public lands, with a valid California Campfire Permit, but the public is asked to be extremely careful with their use. Marquez went on to explain that this is the first rainfall for the season and that grass and brush are still dry in some areas.

Additionally all open routes in the Tumey, Griswold, and Panoche Hills which are gated, locked and closed to public access during the season from April 15 to October when upland game season begins are open now for public access. These roads are closed to protect wildlife habitat values, rare, threatened, and endangered species, and paleontological resources. Foot access is allowed in these areas year-long.

For more information contact our new Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Mike Chiodini at 831-630-5029 or 831-630-5000, or visit the BLM Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court in Hollister.

-BLM-

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