BLM California Desert District reduces fire restrictions
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - Effective immediately, all Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands within the California Desert District shall be under Stage I restrictions and year-round fire restrictions. Recreational shooting restrictions applicable to the California Desert District, issued on May 26, 2017, have been terminated as of March 13, 2018.
The Stage I Fire Prevention Order and year-round fire restrictions can be viewed at: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions. A map may be viewed at: www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=a330d77fe184408ab7c3b9a8035c37fb.
Fire and shooting restrictions have been reduced due to the recent rains, new growth of annual grasses, decrease in the severity of wind events and a general improvement in the fire weather conditions. The following restrictions apply to all public lands within the California Desert District regardless of stage restrictions and are applicable year-round. They include:
- Fireworks: The use or possession of fireworks, including “safe and sane” is hereby prohibited on all public lands of the CDD.
- Firearms and ammunition: The possession or discharge of a firearm using incendiary, tracer, steel core, or armor piercing ammunition is hereby prohibited on all public lands of the CDD.
- Burning: No person shall burn, ignite, or cause to burn any tire, petroleum product, wires, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive materials.
- Spark arresters: All off-road vehicles being operated on public lands must be equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (C) and California Vehicle Code 38366 (a), or the 80 percent efficiency level standard determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAEs) recommended practices J335 or J350.
- Campfire restrictions: Campfires, barbecues and gas stoves are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit on BLM-managed lands within the CDD. When building a campfire the public must take precautions to contain the fire to a small area. Campfire permits are free and can be obtained online at www.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.
“The BLM greatly appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the potential for wildfires on BLM-managed lands,” said Beth Ransel, BLM California Desert District Manager. “It’s important to be very careful when using fire or involved in recreational shooting. Under the right conditions public lands still have potential for wildfires to spread rapidly and become dangerous.”
For more information, contact any of the following BLM offices: California Desert District Office (951) 697-5200, Barstow Field Office (760) 252-6000, El Centro Field Office (760) 337-4400, Needles Field Office (760) 326-7000, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office (760) 833-7100 or Ridgecrest Field Office (760) 384-5400.
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.