BLM temporarily closing Cache Creek Management Area due to danger from Mendocino Complex Fire
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UKIAH, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office is temporarily closing the Cache Creek Management Area, which includes Cowboy Camp, due to the potential risk to public safety from the nearby Mendocino Complex Fire.
At the time of this release, fire officials report that the Mendocino Complex, made up of the Ranch and River fires, has burned roughly 201,471 acres, including an estimated 38,476 acres of BLM-managed public lands, and is approximately 34 percent contained. These fires started on July 27, and the causes are under investigation. Mandatory evacuations are in place for residents living in Lake, Colusa and Mendocino counties with numerous road closures.
Included in this temporary closure are the Cowboy Camp Equestrian Area; Blue Ridge, Cache Creek Ridge, Frog Pond, Fisk Creek, High Bridge, Judge Davis, Langs Peak, Perkins Creek Ridge and Redbud trails; Cache Creek; Cache Creek Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas; and the Buck Island Rafting Area. The BLM has also closed the Cow Mountain Recreation Area and Indian Valley, which are actively burning. Public lands on Walker Ridge are also closed to all access.
High temperatures, low humidity and afternoon winds, along with extremely dry, tall grass; dormant brush and hardwood piles are causing rapid fire growth. An estimated 3,449 personnel from CAL FIRE, the Mendocino National Forest, along with many federal, state and local agencies, are assigned to the fire. Current information is available on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6073/, or on CAL FIRE’s website at http://fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.
The Ukiah Field Office has increased fire restrictions, which prohibit recreational target shooting and ban all campfires and open flame. Read more at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-ukiah-increases-fire-restrictions-limits-shooting-Aug2018. A complete listing of all fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in California is available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions. For specific questions, please contact the Ukiah Field Office, Monday through Friday, at 707-468-4000.
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.