News Release

For Release:  June 21, 2007
Contact:  Jeff Fontana (BLM) 252-5332, Leona Rodreick (Lassen NF) 252-6605,  Laura Williams (Modoc NF) 233-8713 

Fire Restrictions Begin July 2 on Area Public Lands

With hot summer weather drying out vegetation and increasing wildfire risks, the Lassen National Forest, Modoc National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management announced that fire and wood cutting restrictions will go into effect Monday, July 2.

The restrictions on campfire use, off-road driving and smoking affect the forests and BLM-managed lands in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Siskiyou and Washoe counties. The South Warner Wilderness Area on the Modoc National Forest is exempt from the restrictions.

Under the fire restrictions:

  • Open fires are not allowed outside of designated areas (developed campgrounds and recreation sites) even with a valid California campfire permit.  Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with has a valid California campfire permit. 
  • Smoking is not allowed except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site.
  • Use of motor vehicles and all internal combustion engines is prohibited except on National Forest development roads, within designated recreation sites, and on established roads and trails on BLM public lands. 
  • Motorists are reminded to stay on designated roadways.  Off road driving can cause fires when exhaust systems contact dry grass and brush.
  • Target shooters may not use tracer, incendiary or exploding ammunition.

Exemptions to these restrictions include persons who have a permit, contract, or Forest Service approved plan of operations specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act. Please contact your local Forest Service or BLM office with questions about exemptions.

Fire officials also stressed that possession and use of fireworks, including those approved by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office, are never allowed in national forests, national parks or on BLM-managed public lands.

Firewood Cutting Restrictions

Woodcutting restrictions also go into effect on Monday, July 2 on the Lassen National Forest and on BLM public lands.  These restrictions prohibit woodcutting after 1 p.m. (a provision referred to as “hoot owl”).
 
Firewood cutting on the Modoc National Forest is tied to daily fire danger levels.  Woodcutters should call the forest at (530) 233-5811 or check the fire danger levels posted at forest offices before heading out. 

As the fire danger increases, woodcutting may be suspended across the area.  Fire officials urged woodcutters are urged to cut firewood early.
 
Officials noted that fire restrictions are also in effect on the Plumas, Tahoe and Shasta-Trinity national forests, and on BLM-managed lands across northwest California and in northwest Nevada.

In addition to these restrictions, officials at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center remind everyone that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will suspend all residential burning permits on July 1.

Additional information on the safe use of fire outdoors or location of designated recreation sites is available by contacting any office of the Lassen or Modoc national forests, or the Surprise, Eagle Lake or Alturas BLM field offices.

-SIFC-