| Contacts: | Denise Adamic, BLM (719) 269-8553 |
BLM reminds public to leave fireworks at home (06-19-12)
CAÑON CITY, Colo. – The BLM is reminding the public that the possession and use of fireworks is prohibited year-round on all public lands in Colorado.
In December 2011, the BLM passed supplementary rules banning firework use on BLM-managed lands. This rule is consistent with other federal and state land management agencies that prohibit the use of fireworks on the lands they manage.
“We’re asking everyone to leave their fireworks at home,” said Keith Berger, Royal Gorge Field Manager. “Our land use regulations make it a punishable violation to have fireworks on public lands.”
By prohibiting fireworks, the BLM hopes to reduce the number of human-caused fires on public lands. This will improve public safety, reduce risks to firefighters faced with fighting fires, and reduce the costs of fighting fires.
Last year alone, 84 of the 188 fires started on public lands managed by the RGFO and the Pike-San Isabel National Forests were human caused. These fires burned nearly 23,000 acres compared to the 6,168 acres burned by lightning caused fires.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
3028 East Main Street Canon City, CO 81212