BLM Special Fire Restrictions in Foothill Region

Due to extreme dry conditions, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing fire restrictions on all BLM-managed public lands within the Folsom Field Office boundary.  This includes BLM-managed public lands in Nevada, Yuba, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Sacramento, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Sutter, and Mariposa Counties, a total of about 230,000 acres.  The fire restrictions will be effective on Monday, June 18, 2007, and will remain effective until further notice. 

These special limitations prohibit all open fires on public lands because of extremely dry conditions.  According to Fire Management Officer Ken Hood, the elevated fire danger level came six weeks earlier than expected.  Campers are urged to be familiar with special limitations prior to visiting any public lands in these counties.

The following special rules apply during the Special Fire Restriction period: 

1. Campfires, Charcoal, coal or wood stoves are prohibited. (no campfires in developed campgrounds or dispersed recreation areas) Portable stoves using gas, jelled petroleum liquid fuel are exempt from this restriction when accompanied by a valid “California Camp Fire Permit.”
2. Smoking , except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
3. Permits are suspended for using explosive material: (e.g. fireworks, blasting caps or any device which may result in the ignition of flammable material.)
4. Permits are suspended for welding or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.
5. Motor vehicles are restricted to designated roads and trails free of flammable vegetation.
6. Operating portable internal combustion engines outside the hours of 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. (e.g. Chainsaws, pumps and brush cutters).

Violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year in jail. For additional information contact BLM’s Folsom Field Office at 916-985-4474.

-BLM-

Folsom Field Office – 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA   95630