News Release

For Release: September 21, 2006
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332

Fire Restrictions to be Lifted on BLM-Managed Lands

The beginning of cool autumn weather is beginning to reduce fire dangers in northeast California, and fire restrictions for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management's Alturas, Eagle Lake and Surprise field offices will be lifted Saturday, Sept. 30.

The announcement affects BLM-managed lands in parts of Lassen, Modoc, Sierra, Plumas, eastern Shasta, and eastern Siskiyou counties in California, and parts of Washoe County, Nevada.

Fire restrictions will remain in place for the Lassen National Forest and Lassen Volcanic National Park until the region receives more rain.

When the restrictions are lifted, campfires will again be allowed outside of developed campgrounds and recreation sites, and internal combustion engines will again be allowed off of roads and trails. The 1 p.m. restriction on chainsaw use also will be lifted, but only for BLM-managed areas.

In areas where restrictions remain in place, campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites. Internal combustion engines are allowed only on established roads and trails and chainsaw use is allowed only until 1 p.m. daily. Smoking is prohibited except inside enclosed vehicles or within designated campgrounds and recreation sites.

Fire officials said the phased lifting of fire restrictions is due to differing landscapes.

"With the onset of cooler weather, shorter days and small amounts of precipitation, high desert grasses absorb moisture quickly," said Jim Hedges, a co-manager at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center. "This lessens fire danger. Forest fuels, such as trees and downed logs, respond much more slowly to changing weather, and absorb moisture more slowly. In the forest, it takes longer for fire dangers to recede."

Fire officials stressed that fire dangers are still high in many areas. They urged hunters and other back country visitors to continue using extreme caution with fire. "With different levels of fire restrictions now in effect, it is important that back country visitors determine which restrictions are in place for areas they plan to visit. Information is available from any office of the Bureau of Land Management, Lassen National Forest or at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

-SIFC-

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