Fire Restrictions Start August 1 on National Forests, BLM Public Lands

Seasonal restrictions on outdoor use of fire and firewood cutting begin Wednesday, Aug. 1, on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Lassen and Modoc National Forests in northeast California and far northwest Nevada.

The restrictions apply to all forest lands and to public lands managed by the BLM Alturas, Eagle Lake and Surprise field offices in Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Washoe counties.  The South Warner and Thousand Lakes Wilderness Areas are exempt.

Use of chainsaws for woodcutting will be allowed until 1 p.m. daily. On the Modoc National Forest only, chainsaw use will be regulated daily in conjunction with daily project activity levels posted at the office.  Daily woodcutting information is available at (530) 233-8819.

Under the restrictions:

• Open fires are not allowed outside of posted, developed campgrounds and recreation sites, even with a campfire permit.  Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, pressurized liquid fuel or jellied petroleum may be used outside of developed recreation sites, but a campfire permit, available at all BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices, is required.
• Smoking is not allowed, except within developed recreation sites, inside buildings or in enclosed vehicles.
• Motor vehicles must remain on established roads and trails.
• Target shooters may not use tracer, metal jacket, incendiary or exploding ammunition or targets, or any targets that could emit sparks.

As fire dangers increase through the summer firewood cutting could be suspended in some areas.  Fire officials urge woodcutters to cut firewood early in the day, to be sure chainsaws have spark arresters and to have a shovel and fire extinguisher handy.

Fire restrictions are already in place for the neighboring Plumas National Forest, and for public lands managed by the BLM’s Redding and Carson City field offices.  Those who plan to recreate in the wildlands should contact a BLM or Forest Service office to determine which fire restrictions are in effect.