New Bureau of Land Management fire restrictions
Due to wildfire danger, the Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is adding new restrictions beginning June 10.
The following rules will be put in place for BLM-managed public lands in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Fresno Counties, due to wildland fire danger:
No tools powered by internal combustion engines off established roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers). No motorized vehicles off established roads or trails. No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations. No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas. No fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks. No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. No explosives. No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are authorized with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices or at www.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.
In a release, Tuesday, the BLM says that the National Interagency Fire Center predicts a higher likelihood for large wildland fires this summer. They report that an “unusually wet winter has produced an abundant grass crop, which has already cured or dried out. These heavy fuel loads have a high potential for creating extreme wildland fire behavior.”
More from the BLM:
“In the last decade, nearly 90 percent of wildland fires have been human caused. Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, may be held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs. The public is advised to be extremely careful when recreating outdoors, carry a shovel and water at all times, and check weather forecasts and fire danger ratings before leaving home.”
