BLM Mother Lode Field Office increases fire restrictions

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Bureau of Land Management, California

BLM Office:

Mother Lode Field Office

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Fire ring wrap on public lands. Photo by Julie Martin, BLM.  EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is increasing fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations to Stage 2 for BLM-managed public lands effective July 13, due to high fire danger.

Stage 2 includes the additional restriction of no campfires, barbeques, or open fires, regardless if you are in a developed campground, other than portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel with a valid California campfire permit, available at BLM field offices and at www.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.

The 14 counties affected by these fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations in California are on BLM-managed public lands in the Sierra Nevada foothills: Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. Fire and shooting restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas along the American, Merced, Mokelumne, South Yuba and Tuolumne rivers. 

Central California is already experiencing an active wildland fire year with low relative humidity, erratic winds, and above normal temperatures. It is estimated that nearly 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans. 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/limitations will remain in place until fire dangers subside:

  • No campfires, barbeques, or open fires, regardless if you are in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are authorized with a valid California campfire permit.
  • No shooting, use of firearms for hunting is still allowed.
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated developed recreation site.
  • 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 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.

For information on how to prevent wildfires, visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/. For specific questions, contact the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.


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.