For Release: October 13, 2005
Contact: Michael Chiodini (831) 630-5029
CCAL-06-04

Bureau of Land Management Lifts Fire Restrictions

With the onset of cooler temperatures, BLM has lifted fire restrictions on public lands within the Hollister Field Office jurisdiction, effective Oct. 15, 2005. This includes the Tumey, Griswold, and Panoche Hills.

According to Fire Management Officer Mario Marquez, visitors can now have open campfires and barbecue fires at campsites on BLM public lands. Continued use of portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel can be used with a valid California campfire permit, but the public is asked to be extremely careful with their use. Marquez also cautioned that there has been some recorded rainfall for the season but, 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 upland game season from April to October, are now open to 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 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-

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