BLM recreation sites reopen along the Merced River after Ferguson Fire
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EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is reopening recreation sites along the Merced River, including McCabe Flat, Willow Placer and Railroad Flat campgrounds, since there is no longer a public safety risk in this area from the Ferguson Fire. The Briceburg Visitor Center will reopen on Friday, Aug. 17 through Labor Day weekend.
At the time of this release, fire officials report that the Ferguson Fire has burned more than 95,500 acres of mainly brush and timber in steep, inaccessible terrain and is 80 percent contained. The wildfire started on July 13 along state Route 140 and Savages Trading Post in Mariposa County. The cause is under investigation.
State Route 140 has reopened through the river canyon corridor from Briceburg to the Yosemite National Park. However, there is still emergency equipment in the area and speed limits may be reduced.
Visitors should expect smoke throughout the region as wildland fire fighting operations continue. The public is warned to not drive into smoke that can obscure your vision and to stay vigilant on current fire conditions.
On July 15, the BLM temporarily closed the Merced River Recreation Area due to the proximity of the Ferguson Fire. The latest Ferguson Fire information is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/.
Mother Lode Field Office managed public lands in 14 counties throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills are under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which temporarily prohibit recreational target shooting and campfires. Read more at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-mother-lode-field-office-increases-fire-restrictions. For a current listing of fire restrictions on all BLM California managed public lands, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions. For specific questions, please call 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.