News Release

For Release: July 19, 2006
Contact: Jeff Fontana (BLM) 252-5332, Leona Rodreick (Lassen NF) 252-6605 or Laura Williams (Modoc NF) 233-8713

Fire Restrictions Begin August 1st on Area Public Lands

With hot summer weather continuing to dry out vegetation and increase wildfire risks, the Lassen and Modoc national forests and the Bureau of Land Management have announced that fire restrictions will go into effect Tuesday, Aug. 1, in northeast California and northwest Nevada.

The restrictions are for all areas of the Lassen National Forest and on BLM-managed areas of Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Siskiyou and Washoe counties. The Modoc National Forest is also covered by the restrictions except for the South Warner Wilderness and the Big Sage Fire Unit.

• No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be allowed outside of designated areas (developed campgrounds) EVEN with a valid California Campfire Permit. However, lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are not restricted as long as the forest visitor has a valid California Campfire Permit.
  
  
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site.
  
  
• Motor vehicles and all internal combustion engines can be used only on National Forest development roads or within designated recreation sites, and established roads and trails on BLM public lands.

Exemptions to these restrictions include persons who have a permit, contract, or Forest Service approved plan of operations specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act. Please contact your local Forest Service or BLM office with any questions about exemptions.

Woodcutting restrictions go into effect on August 1. These restrictions prohibit woodcutting after 1 pm (hoot-owl). Hot, dry weather is expected to continue through August and September resulting in increased fire danger. As the fire danger increases, woodcutting restrictions will be extended and eventually woodcutting may be suspended across the area. Woodcutters are urged to cut firewood now, while the public lands are still open.

In addition to these restrictions, officials at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center remind everyone that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has suspended all residential burning permits.

Additional information on the safe use of fire outdoors or location of designated recreation sites is available by contacting any office of the Lassen or Modoc national forests, or the Surprise, Eagle Lake or Alturas BLM field offices.

-SIFC-

Susanville Interagency Fire Center
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - Lassen National Forest
Bureau of Land Management - Lassen Volcanic National Park

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