BLM Mother Lode Field Office initiates fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations
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EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations for BLM-managed public lands effective May 25, due to potential fire danger.
The 14 counties affected by these fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations in California are on BLM-managed public lands in the Sierra Nevada foothills: Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. Fire and shooting restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas along the American, Merced, Mokelumne, South Yuba and Tuolumne rivers.
It is estimated that nearly 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans. Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, are held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs. The public is advised to be extremely careful when recreating outdoors and do the following: carry a shovel and water at all times, and check weather forecasts and fire danger ratings before leaving home. The following restrictions/limitations will remain in place until fire dangers subside:
- No shooting, use of firearms for hunting is still allowed – hot bullet fragments and exploding targets from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire.
- No tools powered by internal combustion engines off established roads or trails (chainsaws or lawn mowers).
- 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.
Campfires and barbecues are allowed only in fire rings at designated campgrounds. However, the public is advised to clean 10 feet around the campfire. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressured liquid fuel are authorized with a valid California campfire permit, available at www.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.
The National Interagency Fire Center predicts a hotter and drier year for central California with greater fire risk in tree mortality areas. For information on how to prevent wildfires, visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/. For specific questions, contact the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.
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.