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BLM Encourages Fire Awareness on Memorial Day Weekend and Beyond

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Lakeview District Office

Media Contact:

Lisa McNee

LAKEVIEW, Ore. —  With Memorial Day weekend approaching, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District asks the public to recreate responsibly and be mindful of the potential for wildfires.

BLM public lands provide excellent opportunities for visitors to enjoy America’s open spaces – and to reflect on the sacrifices made by the United States Armed Services veterans who died serving our country.

“On Memorial Day, we take time to remember and honor those men and women who gave their lives to protect our nation and the values we hold dear,” said Lakeview District Manager Todd Forbes. “If you choose to get outside on your public lands over the weekend, please celebrate responsibly and prevent human-caused wildfires.”

Over the last ten years, wildfire activity has been some of the most catastrophic in U.S. history: In 2021, more than 7.1 million acres burned throughout the country. The safety of our employees and the public remains paramount; the BLM reminds visitors to recreate responsibly and safely on Memorial Day weekend and throughout the remainder of the year by following our recreation tips.

  • Do not leave campfires unattended. Completely extinguish campfires using the “drown, stir and feel” method. Do not leave until the site is cold to the touch.
  • Park away from and not on dry grass.
  • Ensure tow chains are not dragging, and tow straps are secured.
  • Observe fire danger restrictions on BLM lands designated as high-risk early in this fire season.
  • Ensure spark arresting devices are properly installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.
  • Fireworks and exploding targets cannot be used on public lands. Follow fireworks restrictions and target shooting requirements. A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM Oregon/Washington is available at https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

On May 27, the BLM Oregon State Director will sign a Fire Prevention Order, which can be found on the BLM Oregon/Washington Fire and Aviation webpage: blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington.

Additional Resources:

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.