< All Press Releases

LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management Las Vegas Field Office announces the temporary closure of certain public lands in the Jean Dry Lake Bed area from October 1 through October 2, 2021. This action is being taken to help ensure public safety during the 2021 Rise Lantern Festival. This temporary closure controls access to multiple points of entry to the festival location to minimize the risk of vehicle collisions with festival participants and workers. The temporary closure also ensures adequate time to conduct clean-up following the event.

The closure area includes the Jean Dry Lake Bed and is bordered by Hidden Valley to the east, Sheep Mountain to the southwest, and Interstate 15 to the northwest. The entire area is closed to all vehicles and personnel except Law Enforcement personnel, emergency vehicles, event personnel, and ticketed festival participants. Festival participants are required to remain within the designated spectator areas.

In order to ensure public safety, the following restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the temporary closure. Unless otherwise authorized, the following activities within the temporary closure area are prohibited:

• Camping.
• Possession and/or consuming any alcoholic beverage unless the person has reached the age of 21 years.
• Discharging, or use of firearms or other weapons.
• Possession and/or discharging of fireworks.                                      
• Allowing any pet or other animal in one’s care to be unrestrained at any time. Animals must be on a leash or other restraint no longer than 3 feet.
• Operation of any vehicle including any off-highway vehicle and golf carts within the closure area, except along designated event routes to and from entrance/exit points and parking areas; or designated event vehicles and official vehicles.
• Parking any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property, or feature.  Vehicles so parked are subject to citation, removal, and impoundment at the owner’s expense.
• Operating a vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or device.

Signs and maps directing the public to designated spectator areas will be provided by the event sponsor.

The above restrictions do not apply to BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties, any Federal, State, or local officer, member of an organized rescue or firefighting force engaged in fire, emergency, or law enforcement activities, public utility employees engaged in emergency repairs, or vehicles owned by or contracted by the United States, the State of Nevada, or Clark County. Vehicles under permit for operation by event participants must follow the event permit stipulations.

Authority for closure of public lands is found in 43 CFR 8340 subpart 8341 and 43 CFR 8360 subpart 8364.1.

For additional information about the temporary closure, contact Jenna Giddens, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, 702-515-5156.