BLM temporarily closing public lands in area of Carr Fire west of Redding
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REDDING, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed the public lands west of Redding due to the rapidly expanding Carr Fire. The closures affect lands north of Placer Road and west of Keswick, including the Keswick area, Iron Mountain Road, the Chappie-Shasta Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area and the Swasey Recreation Area.
As of Thursday, July 26, the wildfire had burned 20,000 acres. Firefighters had completed fire lines around 10 percent of the fire. High temperatures, low humidity, wind and steep terrain are challenging the fire crews.
“This fire is burning dry timber and brush and including public land areas managed by the BLM,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM’s Redding Field Office. “This temporary closure is to protect public health and safety.”
More than 1,350 personnel are fighting the fire that broke out Monday afternoon along State Route 299 in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, west of Redding. The fire has forced evacuations and closed Route 299. CAL FIRE is providing fire updates on the incident information website at http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.
BLM officials are reminding public land users to be extremely cautious with outdoor use of fire because of extreme fire dangers. Fire use restrictions are in place, limiting campfires, vehicle use, target shooting and smoking. Details are available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions.
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.