BLM California Fire Restrictions

 

 

Click here to visit the full interactive map.

This map displays the status of fire restrictions within BLM district and field office boundaries. Click on an area to see a pop-up box with additional information. On the map legend, characteristics will become visible as the map is zoomed in.

BLM California fire restrictions or temporary public land closures are used to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the public. Often times these preventative measures focus on human-related activities, such as campfires, off-road driving, equipment use and recreational target shooting, since human-related activities are the number one cause of a wildfires.  

Target shooting and other fire restrictions remain in effect for some areas of BLM-managed public lands in California. Find specific restrictions by field office below. Restrictions on target shooting do not prevent hunting with a valid hunting license, as hunting on BLM public lands is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/hunting for more information.

Northern California District

 

Applegate Field Office

Current Restrictions in Place

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Arcata Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Eagle Lake Field Office

Current Restrictions in Place

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Redding Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 

Read more about fire restrictions:

Central California District

Please note: Fire restriction orders remain in effect for months and are valid until rescinded. Many regions are under fire restrictions that include temporary target shooting limitations, please read the news release for more information. ​

Some recreation areas have year-round fire restrictions, such as the South Yuba Wild & Scenic River Recreation Area, which is managed by the Mother Lode Field Office. Visit https://www.blm.gov/visit/south-yuba-river for more information. 

Wood cutting permits are only available seasonally, typically from mid-October to mid-June, depending on conditions. Please contact your nearest field office for specific information.

 

Bakersfield Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • Shooting is strictly prohibited in developed recreation sites and other areas where posted. The following areas remain closed to target shooting: Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area, Atwell Recreation Area and the Kaweah Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which includes Case Mountain.
  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Bishop Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Central Coast Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Mother Lode Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Emergency Closures

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Ukiah Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

California Desert District

Barstow Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

El Centro Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Needles Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Ridgecrest Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • All campfires are required to have a five-foot diameter area be cleared to bare soil and the area must be free of overhead flammable material. The restriction requires that anyone using a campfire have a round-point shovel with a handle at least 35-inches-long nearby.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Users must have a valid California campfire permit on BLM managed lands within California. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Visitors should carry shovels, water and fire extinguishers. California campfire permits are available free online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including California fire marshal-approved “safe and sane” devices. 
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. Steel targets are not recommended – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Hunters actively engaged in the legal pursuit and take of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and abide by California laws and regulations.
  • No welding, operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

BLM California issues statewide Fire Prevention Order

A state-wide Fire Prevention Order addresses wildfire safety measures for use of campfires outside of developed campgrounds and complements state and local wildfire prevention laws, regulations, and activities. Under this order, the public is required to follow these criteria before building, attending, maintaining, or using a campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, outside of a developed campground: 

  • maintain a five-foot diameter area cleared to bare soil and free of any overhead flammable materials in all directions around the campfire, 
  • have on hand a functioning round-point shovel, with an overall length of at least 35 inches, that can be easily accessed within a reasonable amount of time in response to a fire ignition, 
  • possess a valid California Campfire Permit, available free of charge https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/. 

Additional seasonal fire restrictions may be issued by local BLM offices based on conditions, as necessary. This statewide Fire Prevention Order does not supersede local BLM fire orders or federal regulations. View the full order at: https://on.doi.gov/2YegKJF 

Some additional restrictions are relatively minor and can apply year-round, while others are temporary restrictions or closures. When there is high potential for extreme fire behavior, fire restrictions are often not enough to reduce the risk and temporary public land closures may be issued. BLM's criteria for when and how to issue fire restrictions and closures can vary, but often includes: 

  • Current wildfire activity 
  • Firefighting resources available 
  • Predicted fire potential (increasing fire size and severity based on conditions) 
  • Current and expected visitor use (increasing risk) 
  • Activities commonly known to cause wildfires (based on statistics and research) 

Campfire Permit

Get your California campfire permit online! Visit readyforwildfire.org/Campfire-Permit - watch a short video - take a quiz - get your online permit - save or print pdf or just bookmark the link on your mobile device to display when needed.

CONTACT US

To report a fire in California
Call:  911

Send questions or Comments:
BLM_CA_Web_SO@blm.gov