BLM Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices issue seasonal fire restrictions

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is issuing seasonal fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices effective Wednesday, June 12, due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger. These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round, statewide fire prevention order.  The Mother Lode Field Office and Ukiah Field Office seasonal fire order will remain in effect until further notice.

The BLM-managed public lands affected by these fire restrictions are in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

“It has become necessary to implement additional fire restrictions as temperatures rise, leading to increasingly dry conditions in the district,” advises Central California District Fire Management Officer Dave Brinsfield. “We ask that visitors follow these restrictions and do their part to help us minimize fire potential when visiting public lands.”

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95 percent of all wildfires in California. Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No Campfires, briquette/charcoal barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of agency-provided fire rings or barbeques at designated developed recreation sites.
• No Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed campground with a three-foot diameter area clear of brush and all flammable materials.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 
• No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails.
• No target shooting, hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Hunting in the pursuit of game and non-game species is allowed with a state of California hunting license and in accordance with California hunting regulations. The use of any steel-jacked, steel core or incendiary ammunition of any caliber is prohibited. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.  

As always, possessing, discharging or using fireworks or pyrotechnic devices are prohibited across Bureau of Land Management lands. Additionally, a valid California Campfire Permit is required to operate a stove or fire, where allowed, on these public lands. 

HELP PREVENT FIRES

Residents and visitors are reminded to help prevent human-caused fires:

• Make sure all campfires are dead out! Drown it and stir around the fire area with a shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. If it’s not cool, it is not out.
• Be sure to maintain proper tire pressure for all vehicles, ensure adequate tire tread, and check brakes for overheating. Do not drive or park on brush or grass. Do not drag chains while towing.
• Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and chainsaws require an approved spark arrestor.
• Remember the use of steel-core ammunition, although legal while hunting, can greatly increase the chance of a wildfire if ricocheted off objects such as rocks.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or face imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

The public can visit CAL FIRE’s website to learn how to prevent wildland fires. A map of current restrictions and active fire prevention orders are also available online. Fire weather forecasts are available through the National Weather Service. For specific questions, please contact the appropriate field office or you may email Public Affairs Officer Philip Oviatt at poviatt@blm.gov.