Joint News Release

For Release: June 24, 2002
Contacts: Mary Chislock-Bethke, USFS (559) 784-1500
Larry Mercer, BLM (661) 391-6010
Doug Johnston, KCFD (661) 391-7082

FIRE RESTRICTIONS GO INTO EFFECT

In response to the increasing fire danger, the Sequoia National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (Bakersfield Field Office) and Kern County Fire Department announced today, an interagency declaration to impose fire restrictions for all federal and state protected lands within Kern County on Wednesday, June 26, 2002. On the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, this declaration will include all forestlands located in Tulare, Fresno and Kern counties. For BLM, this declaration will include all BLM lands located in Tulare, Fresno, Kern and San Luis Obispo.

With the extremely dry conditions, higher temperatures, and the draw down of firefighting forces assisting with the many fires now burning nationwide, fire officials have decided to impose fire restrictions at least a month earlier. In addition, the number of fires burning across the country has caused the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, to declare the nation at Level Five, the highest level of fire preparedness.

Fire restrictions apply on Sequoia National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands only. No open fires, campfires, or charcoal fires are allowed outside of developed recreation sites or designated fire safe areas. A "fire safe" area is defined as a cleared, undeveloped, POSTED area where campfires and smoking are allowed during fire restrictions.

Lanterns and portable gas stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted with a valid California campfire permit. Permits are available free of charge at any Forest Service or BLM office.

Smoking is not permitted, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site or designated fire safe area.

Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads and designated trails on BLM lands and parts of the Sequoia National Forest. Within the Giant Sequoia National Monument, motorized vehicles are only allowed on highways, improved roads, or unimproved trails. Ensure the engine is tuned and operating properly before driving on forest and BLM roads.

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