ARCATA, CA. (KIEM) – From the Bureau of Land Management Arcata Office:
The Bureau of Land Management will implement fire restrictions for public lands managed by its Arcata and Ukiah field offices in Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Solano counties, beginning Thursday, June 28. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
“We are implementing these seasonal restrictions to help protect public lands and nearby communities from wildfire,” said Walter Herzog, fire management officer for the BLM in northern California. “Dry fuels and high temperatures have significantly increased firedanger, and we need to minimize the potential for fire starts.”
The fire restrictions prohibit all campfires and barbecues, except in developed, posted campgrounds and recreation sites. Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed outside of posted campgrounds and recreation sites, with a valid California campfire permit. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels and water. To obtain a California campfire permit, visit http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/. Campfire permits are available free at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIREoffices.
Due to high fire danger, target shooting will be allowed only from a half-hour before sunrise to noon daily on lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office. Target shooters must have a shovel and water on hand. Shooters may not use incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor-piercing ammunition, or targets made of material that could emit sparks or explode. In accordance with state regulations, shooting is allowed for hunting.
Other restrictions include:
· No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated, developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
· No motor vehicles or internal combustion engines off established roads or trails. Chainsaws equipped with spark arresters may be used until 1 p.m. daily.
· No possession or use of fireworks, including “safe and sane” devices. For the Arcata Field Office, there is an exception for July 4 only, when visitors can use state firemarshal-approved “safe and sane” fireworks at the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area at the north jetty, Humboldt Bay, near Eureka.
BLM officials noted that violation of fire restrictions is punishable by fines up to $1,000, 12 months in jail, or both.
For more information, telephone the Arcata Field Office, 707-825-2300, or the Ukiah Field Office, 707-468-4000. Information on firerestrictions across public lands in California is available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire–restrictions
