News Release

For Release:  August 27, 2008           
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332 or (530) 262-1147
CA-N-08-88

Fire Restrictions Remain in Effect on BLM Public Lands

Restrictions Also in Place on National Forests

With school back in session and Labor Day around the corner, it’s beginning to feel like fall.  But in northeast California’s back country, conditions are at their driest point of the year, and restrictions on fire use remain in effect.

Officials at the Bureau of Land Management urge hunters and others who visit the back country to follow the restrictions and be extremely careful with fire.

Under the fire restrictions:

• Campfires are allowed only in the fire rings in posted, developed campgrounds and recreation sites.  Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, pressurized liquid fuel or jellied petroleum may be used outside of developed recreation sites, but a campfire permit, available at all BLM and Forest Service offices, is required.

• Smoking is not allowed, except within developed recreation sites, inside buildings or in enclosed vehicles.

• Motor vehicles must remain on established roads and trails.

• Target shooters may not use tracer, metal jacket, incendiary or exploding ammunition.

• All target shooting is prohibited on lands managed by the BLM Redding Field Office in Shasta, Butte, Tehama, Trinity and Siskiyou counties.

• Chainsaws may be used only until 1 p.m. daily in areas managed by the BLM Alturas, Eagle Lake and Surprise field offices. (Firewood cutting permits are suspended on the Lassen National Forest).

The restrictions apply to public lands managed by the BLM Alturas, Eagle Lake, Surprise and Redding field offices in Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Butte, Tehama, Trinity Siskiyou, and Washoe counties.  Fire restrictions are also in effect for the Lassen, Plumas and Modoc national forests and for BLM public lands in western Nevada.  Those who plan to recreate on the wildlands should contact a BLM or Forest Service office to determine which fire restrictions are in effect.

Burning permits are also suspended on lands protected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 

-BLM-

Northern California Public Affairs     2950 Riverside Drive     Susanville, CA  96130