Fire Information and Fire Restrictions

Celebrating Wildland Firefighters day

 

US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Wildfire Information Dashboard and Fire Restrictions. Click here for interactive maps. Keep scrolling for current fire restrictions.

 

This map displays the real-time status of large wildfires over 100 acres and current fire restrictions within BLM District and Field Office boundaries. Click on an area of the map to see a pop-up box with additional information. On the map legend, characteristics will become visible as the map is zoomed in.

Current Fire Restrictions

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.

No possession or use of fireworks, including “safe and sane” devices, except with special use permit.

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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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:

  • No Campfires, briquette/charcoal barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of agency-provided fire rings or barbeques at designated developed recreation sites. Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed outside of these campgrounds and recreation sites, including the Lost Coast Trail, with a valid California campfire permit. Visitors should be extremely careful with campfires. Free campfire permits are available online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit and at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated, developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No motor vehicles or internal combustion engines off established roads or trails.  There is an exception for the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area and the wave slope of the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit, Humboldt Bay. Chainsaws equipped with functional spark arresters may be used for firewood cutting until 1 p.m. daily.
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including “safe and sane” devices.  There is an exemption in place for July 4 only at the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area near Eureka.
  • No target shooting with incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor-piercing ammunition, or using exploding targets. Target shooting is allowed only from a half-hour before sunrise to noon daily.  Target shooters must have a shovel or fire extinguisher on hand.

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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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:

  • Fire restrictions in the fire order include no campfires and barbecues, except in the Junction City, Steel Bridge, and Douglas City campgrounds in Trinity County, and in the Shasta and Bohemotash campgrounds within the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area.  Campfires are prohibited in the Forks of Butte primitive campground in Butte County.
  • Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed outside of these posted campgrounds and recreation sites with a valid California campfire permit. Where allowed, visitors should be extremely careful with campfire use.  Free campfire permits are available online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit and at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.
     
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated, developed recreation site, or other designated area.
     
  • No motor vehicles or internal combustion engines off established roads or trails. Chainsaws equipped with functioning spark arresters may be used for personal-use firewood cutting until 1 p.m. daily.
     
  • No possession or use of fireworks, including “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.
     
  • No campfires or open flames of any kind. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/
  • No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails. 
  • No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. No steel targets allowed – hot bullet fragments. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. 
  • Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Shooters actively engaged in the legal take/pursuit of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and must abide by California laws and regulations.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Bishop Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • No Campfires, briquette/charcoal barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of agency-provided fire rings or barbeques at designated developed recreation sites. Dispersed campfires such as rock rings, will no longer be allowed.
  • No Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter barren of all flammable materials.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 
  • No target shooting, except with a State of California hunting license and in accordance with California hunting regulations.
  • No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
  • As always, possessing, discharging or using fireworks or pyrotechnic devices are prohibited across Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
  • Additionally, a valid California Campfire Permits is required whenever you operate a stove or fire on these public lands.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Central Coast Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/. During the issuance of Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, as determined by the National Weather Service (see https://www.weather.gov/fire/), all use of campfires, is temporarily suspended to reduce the potential of unintended wildland fire ignitions for the period of the event.
     
  • No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails. 
  • No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
  • 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.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Mother Lode Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • No campfires, barbeques, or open fires, except in developed campgrounds with a valid campfire permit. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit. California campfire permits are available free online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No target shooting, except with a state of California hunting license and in accordance with hunting regulations.
  • No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated developed recreation site.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except by special permit.
  • No use of explosives, except by special permit.
     
  • BLM issues emergency closure of Rocky Bar Road due to wildland fire hazards.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Ukiah Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • No campfires, barbeques, or open fires, except in developed campgrounds with a valid campfire permit. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit. California campfire permits are available free online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.
  • No target shooting, except with a state of California hunting license and in accordance with hunting regulations.
  • No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated developed recreation site.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except by special permit.
  • No use of explosives or fireworks, except by special permit.

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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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 https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/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

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