BLM initiates seasonal fire and target shooting restrictions in California Desert District

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has elevated its seasonal fire restrictions effective May 22 for public lands managed by the BLM California Desert District within Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties. These restrictions will remain in effect until October 24 unless terminated sooner if conditions warrant.

“Fire restrictions protect visitors, communities, adjacent private lands and natural resources from the risk of wildfire,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “Following and staying educated on fire restrictions helps protect your public lands and minimizes fire potential.”

The seasonal Fire Prevention Order places in effect stage I and II fire restrictions for the California Desert District, as shown on the online map. The elevated restrictions address the use of campfires, controlled flame devices, target shooting and smoking on public lands. 

The order prohibits recreational target shooting on BLM-managed public lands within San Diego, eastern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties. Recreational shooting restrictions do not impact hunting.

The actions prohibited by the seasonal Fire Prevention Order are in addition to acts already outlined in the statewide Fire Prevention Order and the California Desert District Year-round Fire Restrictions.

“Because 95 percent of wildfires in the California Desert District are human caused stage I and II, and recreational shooting restrictions are designed to help minimize the risk,” said BLM California Desert District Fire Management Officer Paul Gibbs.

The public is reminded to follow these precautions:

• Always have a five-foot circle cleared around your campfire and have a California Campfire Permit.
• Maintain a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires.
• Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving.
• Never use steel targets, steel jacketed, steel core or incendiary ammunition for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.
• No campfires or recreational target shooting during any Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.
• Park vehicles away from areas where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite.
• If you are asked to evacuate, please do so immediately.
• If you plan to mow your yard or clear weeds, please do so early in the morning and on cooler days with no wind.

Violation of this order is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. The public can find additional information about wildfire on CAL FIRE’s website.

For more BLM information about wildfire prevention, please contact the California Desert District Office at 951-697-5200; Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000; El Centro Field Office at 760-337-4400; Needles Field Office at 760-326-7000; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at 760-833-7100; or Ridgecrest Field Office at 760-384-5400.