BLM Bakersfield Field Office issues fire restrictions
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing Stage 2 fire restrictions for BLM-managed public lands effective May 21, due to potential fire danger.
The eight counties affected by these fire restrictions in California on BLM-managed public lands include: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. Fire restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas including Keysville, Three Rivers, San Joaquin River Gorge, Lake Isabella, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows and the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
It is estimated that nearly 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans (https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildfire-causes-and-evaluations.htm). Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, are held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs. The public is advised to be extremely careful when recreating outdoors and do the following: carry a shovel and water at all times, and check weather forecasts and fire danger ratings before leaving home. The following restrictions will remain in place until fire dangers subside:
- No tools powered by internal combustion engines off established roads or trails (chainsaws or lawn mowers).
- No motorized vehicles off established roads or trails.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
- No shooting using incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor piercing ammunition. No steel targets allowed – hot bullet fragments and exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire.
- No fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks.
- No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except by special permit.
- No use of explosives, except by special permit.
- No campfires or open flames are allowed. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel are authorized with a valid California campfire permit, available at www.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.
The National Interagency Coordination Center predicts a hotter and drier year for southern and central California with greater fire risk in tree mortality areas. Visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org to learn how you can prevent wildfires. For specific questions, contact Ruth Ellison at 661-391-6169.
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.