BLM Announces Fire Restrictions for Lands Managed by Arcata, Redding and Ukiah Field Offices
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Effective Monday, June 20, the Bureau of Land Management will implement fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Arcata, Redding and Ukiah Field Offices. Restrictions affect public land managed by the BLM in Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Siskiyou, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Solano counties. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
"Restrictions are needed because the presence of dry fuels increases fire danger," said Northern California District Fire Management Officer Walter Herzog. "Current conditions can lead to wildfires that would threaten public land visitors, natural resources and the adjacent private lands and communities."
Under the restrictions, all campfires and barbecues are prohibited except in the Mattole, Honeydew, Wailaki, Nadelos, Horse Mountain and Tolkan campgrounds in the King Range National Conservation Area, and picnic sites at the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area. Exceptions in the Redding and Ukiah Field Office Areas include Forks of Butte, Shasta, Bohemotash, Junction City, Steel Bridge and Douglas City Cow Mountain (Buckhorn, Maycamas, Red Mountain, Sheldon Creek campgrounds), Indian Valley Reservoir (Blue Oak Campground), Knoxville (Lower Hunting Creek Campground) campgrounds, and the Steiner Flat primitive campground.
Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed outside of posted recreation sites, with a valid California campfire permit. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry a shovel and water.
Target shooting will be allowed from a half-hour before sunrise until noon daily. Target shooters must have a shovel or fire extinguisher on hand.
Other restrictions include:
No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
No motor vehicles or internal combustion engines are allowed off established roads or trails. There is an exception for the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, and the wave slope at the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit of Humboldt Bay.
Chainsaws equipped with spark arresters may be used until 1 p.m. daily.
No shooting using incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor-piercing ammunition. Targets made of material that could explode or emit sparks may not be used.
No possession or use of fireworks, including "safe and sane" devices. An exemption is in place for July Forth only, when state fire marshal-approved "safe and sane" fireworks may be used within designated areas at the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area on the north side of Humboldt Bay near Eureka.
The BLM advises homeowners to develop and maintain 100 feet of clean, open space around their homes to provide defensible space and improve the chance that their homes can be saved in an uncontrolled wildfire.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.