Order Number CA-060-2009-01

Fire Prevention Orders

Bureau of Land Management

California Desert District

 

It is the policy of the Bureau of Land Management to take all necessary actions to protect human life, the public lands and the resources and improvements thereon through the prevention of wildfires. Wherever possible, the Bureau of Land Management will comply with 43 CFR 9212.2 requiring the BLM to establish fire prevention orders to assist with wildland fire prevention. These efforts will also compliment and support state and local wildfire prevention efforts throughout the geographical area. This geographical area consists of public lands within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) and public lands outside the CDCA in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties.

Under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et. Seq.) and pursuant to 43 CFR 9212.2, the following fire prevention orders are issued:

These restrictions shall apply to all public lands within the California Desert District regardless of stage restrictions and are applicable year round. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in Title 43 CFR 9212.1 They include:

 

 

The use or possession of fireworks, including “safe and sane” is hereby prohibited on all public lands of the California Desert District.

 

 

The possession or discharge of a firearm using incendiary, tracer, steel core, or armor piercing ammunition is hereby prohibited on all public lands of the California Desert District.

 

 

No person shall burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, petroleum product, wires, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive materials. 

 

 

All off-road vehicles being operated on public lands must be equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (C) and California Vehicle Code 38366(a). The spark arrester must meet either the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest service Standard 5100-1a, or the 80% efficiency level standard determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAEs) recommended practices J335 or J350. 

 

 

 

A.                End of fire season (generally October but may be extended due to extreme fire danger) to May 15 – generally campfires and barbecues are allowed on all public lands of the California Desert District without a permit subject to proper clearance of flammable fuels to a minimum of five feet and having shovel or extinguishing tools handy.

 

B.                 May 15 to end of fire season – All public lands within the California Desert District will be considered to be in Stage I restrictions (see C. below). Some areas that may be experiencing extreme fire danger may be placed into Stage II restrictions.

 

C.                 Stage Restriction Definitions:

 

1.                  Stage I Restriction – Campfires, barbecues and gas stoves are allowed with a permit.  All public lands within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) shall be in Stage I restrictions. Please check with individual local field offices for further information on restrictions. 

 

2.                  Stage II Restriction – Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed by permit.

 

3.                  Stage III – Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited throughout the California Desert District. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed only by permit. Smoking is only permitted within enclosed vehicles or camp trailers.

 

 

Stage I areas may be elevated to Stage II during periods of extreme fire danger.

 

 

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in Title 43 CFR 9212.1.

 

 

 

Campfire permits may be obtained at all BLM offices, fire and ranger stations and from patrol personnel.

 

 

Prepared in Riverside, California, this 15^th day of May 2009.

 

Attachment:
CDD Fire Restriction Map

                                                                    

                                                                       

                                                                                                /s/ Steve J. Borchard

                                                                                   

                                                                                                Steven J. Borchard

                                                                                                District Manager

                                                                                                California Desert District