News Release

For Release:  Oct. 15, 2008                
Contact:  Michael Chiodini (831) 630-5029
CA-CC-09-02

Bureau of Land Management in Hollister Lifts Fire Restrictions

With the onset of cooler temperatures, BLM has lifted fire restrictions on public lands within the Hollister Field Office jurisdiction.  This includes the Tumey, Griswold, Ciervo and Panoche hills.

According to Fire Mitigation Specialist Michael Chiodini, visitors can now have open campfires and barbecue fires at campsites on BLM public lands with a valid California campfire permit. Chiodini also cautioned that while there has been cooler temperatures and precipitation, grass and brush is still dry in some areas. Visitors are encouraged to contain campfires and build them in areas free of vegetation. Visitors will need to have a shovel and water to completely extinguish the campfires before leaving.

In addition, routes in the Tumey, Griswold and Panoche hills that are closed to public access during the upland game season from April to October are now open effective today.   These roads are closed seasonally to protect wildlife habitat values, rare, threatened and endangered species, and paleontological resources.  Foot access is allowed in these areas year-round.

For more information contact Chiodini at (831) 630-5029 or (831) 630-5000, or visit the BLM Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court in Hollister.

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