BLM to Implement Fire Restrictions in the California Desert District
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has initiated Stage II and Stage III Fire Restrictions as of April 30 for BLM-managed public lands within Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono and San Diego counties. These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Specific descriptions of Stage II and III restrictions and the 2018 Fire Restriction Order and a fire restriction map showing Stage II and Stage III designations and the recreational shooting closure area are available at:
www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions.
The BLM is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive. “Despite winter rains, restrictions are needed due to current hot and dry weather conditions and an abundance of dry grass that could be easily ignited,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Beth Ransel. “These conditions cause wildfires that would threaten public land visitors, communities, adjacent private lands and natural resources.”
In addition, as of April 30, the BLM has initiated restrictions for recreational target shooting on BLM managed public lands within southern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino, eastern Los Angles and all of San Diego County counties and will continue until further notice. Violation of this order is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
The BLM greatly appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires. The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution when using fire and to follow these precautions:
1) Make sure to have a five-foot circle cleared around a campfire.
2) Be sure to have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put the fire DEAD OUT, before leaving.
3) Make sure cigarettes or cigars are put out when finished and disposed of properly.
4) Park motor vehicles away from locations where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite.
The public can find additional information about wildfire on Cal Fire’s website at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/One-Less-Spark-Campaign/.
For more information about wildfire prevention from the BLM, please contact: California Desert District Office 951-697-5200; Barstow Field Office, 760-252-6000; El Centro Field Office, 760-337-4400; Needles Field Office, 760-326-7000; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 760-833-7100; or Ridgecrest Field Office, 760- 384-5400.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.