The following is a press release issued by the Bureau of Land Management:
With the return of fall weather and rain, the Bureau of Land Management has eased some fire restrictions on public lands managed by its Arcata and Redding field offices in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Trinity, Shasta, Butte, Tehama and Siskiyou counties.
Easing of fire restrictions means that campfires are again allowed. Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. They are available free online at www.ReadyForWildfire.org and at BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices. Restrictions on target shooting hours also have been lifted, and shooting is again allowed all day.
“Even though we’ve had rain, people still need to be careful with fire,” said Dereck Wilson of the BLM Northern California District. “Fires should never be used on windy days, and it is imperative that campers fully extinguish campfires before leaving a campsite.”
Year-found fire restrictions remain in place for BLM-managed public lands in California. These restrictions require that a five-foot diameter area must be cleared to bare soil and be free of overhead flammable material before a campfire is used. Anyone using a campfire must have a round point shovel with a handle at least
35-inches-long nearby. The restrictions also prohibit possession or use of fireworks. Target shooters may not use incendiary, steel core or exploding ammunition, or exploding targets. The full orders are available here: Redding Field Office, Arcata Field Office. Details on the year-round restrictions are available here.
The public is reminded to remain cautious when recreating on public lands to prevent a wildland fire. For more information, visit readyforwildfire.org/Prevent-Wildfire. Safety tips include not driving a vehicle onto dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and bucket of water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves.
More information about use of fire on public lands is available from the BLM Arcata Field Office, 707-825-2300, or the Redding Field Office, 530 224-2100.
