U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Montana State Office
Montana State Office
| Contacts: | Heather O’Hanlon 406-896-2836 | |||
Fourth of July Fire Safety Reminder
Our cool wet spring is giving way to warmer, drier conditions. Smokey Bear and your wildland firefighters would like to remind everyone to use extreme caution while recreating on public lands.
For those who are camping over the 4th of July, remember to extinguish campfires properly with water and dirt until coals are cool.
As a reminder, there are no fireworks allowed on public lands. That includes lands managed by the Forest Service and National Park Service.
In communities where fireworks are still allowed, remember to be safe during the holiday.
Keep water and a shovel nearby in the case of a mishap.
Pay attention to your surroundings and report any irresponsible behavior to the appropriate authorities.
As Smokey says, “It’s up to you.”
Do your part. Don’t start wildfires.
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.
Montana State Office 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101