The BLM initiates seasonal fire and target shooting restrictions in California Desert District
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has elevated its seasonal fire restrictions effective May 22 for BLM-managed public lands managed by the California Desert District within Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties. These restrictions will remain in effect until Oct. 12, unless terminated sooner if conditions warrant.
“These proactive fire restrictions are in place to protect visitors, communities, adjacent private lands and natural resources from the risk of wildfire,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “The public plays a key role in fire prevention and we express our thanks for your cooperation in protecting your public lands and helping minimize fire potential.”
The seasonal Fire Prevention Order places in effect stage I and II fire restrictions for the California Desert District, as shown on the online map. The elevated restrictions address the use of campfires, controlled flame devices, target shooting and smoking on public lands.
The order prohibits recreational target shooting on BLM-managed public lands within San Diego, eastern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties as shown on the map and described in the order. The recreational shooting restrictions do not impact hunting.
The actions prohibited by this seasonal Fire Prevention Order are in addition to acts already outlined in the statewide Fire Prevention Order and the California Desert District Fire Prevention Order, which provides year-round campfire permit requirement, maintaining a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires, guidance for extinguishing campfires on BLM-managed public lands in California, prohibiting the possession and use of steel jacketed, steel core or incendiary ammunition and all campfires and recreational target shooting during any Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.
Specific descriptions of stage I and II seasonal fire restrictions and recreational shooting restrictions, a map showing each of these areas, and the statewide Fire Prevention Order are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions.
“On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95 percent of all wildfire occurrences annually here in California,” said BLM California Desert District Fire Management Officer Paul Gibbs. “These stage I and II and recreational shooting restrictions are designed to help minimize the risk of human-caused wildfires in the California Desert District.”
The public is reminded to follow these precautions:
- Always have a five-foot circle cleared around your campfire.
- Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving.
- Never use steel targets, steel jacketed, steel core or incendiary ammunition for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.
- Always park vehicles away from areas where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite.
Violation of this order is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
The public can find additional information about wildfire on CAL FIRE’s website at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/One-Less-Spark-Campaign/.
For more BLM information about wildfire prevention, please contact the California Desert District Office at 760-833-7100; Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000; El Centro Field Office at 760-337-4400; Needles Field Office at 760-326-7000; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at 760-833-7100; or Ridgecrest Field Office at 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.