BLM California Fire Restrictions

 

 

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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:

  • No campfires, barbecues, or open fires, in or outside of developed campgrounds.
  • No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws generators, or ATVs).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks.
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. No steel targets allowed – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. 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.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Emergency Closures

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Bishop Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a fire ring or fire pit specifically provided for such use in the following developed campgrounds:  Tuttle Creek, Goodale Creek, Horton Creek, Crowley Lake and Pleasant Valley Pit. 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 www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/. Campfires within developed recreation sites are not allowed during National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches.
  • No operating or using any internal combustion engine off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws, generators or OHVs).
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer, or while stopped/standing in a designated developed campground with a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • No fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks.
  • Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition. No steel targets allowed – 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:

  • Campfires, barbecues and open fires are prohibited on BLM-managed public lands until further notice.
  • No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
  • 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, at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Mother Lode Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • 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 target 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 (chainsaws, lawn mowers, generators, etc.) off established roads or trails.
  • 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.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Ukiah Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

  • Campfires, barbecues and open fires are prohibited on BLM-managed public lands until further notice.
  • No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
  • 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, at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
  • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Read more about fire restrictions:

California Desert District

Throughout the entire year all BLM-managed public lands within the California Desert District will be considered to be in Stage I Restrictions. View California Desert District stage definitions.

Barstow Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

Stage I Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.
  • Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts.

Stage II Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer unless prohibited by State or local laws.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

El Centro Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

Stage I Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.
  • Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts.

Stage II Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer unless prohibited by State or local laws.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

NOTICE: Whitewater Canyon is closed due to potential fire threat.

Stage I Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.
  • Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts.

Stage II Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer unless prohibited by State or local laws.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Needles Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

Stage I Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.
  • Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts.

Stage II Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer unless prohibited by State or local laws.

Read more about fire restrictions:

 

Ridgecrest Field Office

Current restrictions in place:

Stage I Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.
  • Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts.

Stage II Restriction Area (map):

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer unless prohibited by State or local laws.

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.

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