EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is announcing seasonal restrictions on fires, including temporary restrictions on target shooting, starting May 21. These seasonal restrictions are in addition to statewide fire prevention order, issued April 28, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.

The public lands managed by BLM affected by the restrictions are mainly located in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, West of Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties. Fire restrictions will also apply in popular recreation areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers, as well as in the Panoche, Tumey and Griswold Hills; Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; North Cow Mountain Range; and the Indian Valley Management Zone. Campfires and target shooting are also still prohibited at Fort Ord National Monument due to ammunition and public safety risks. Fire prevention orders for the Central coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices are available online.

On average, man-made wildfires account for 95 percent of all forest fires in California. Records show that recreational target shooting has started more than half of all forest fires within the boundaries of some field offices in the past decade. Many of these fires occur near roads, communities and recreation areas, posing a significant threat to public safety. Taking individual responsibility for reducing the risk of forest fires while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire breaks out, can help keep property, the public and residents safe. forest firefighters.

In 2020, approximately 275 wildfires burned nearly 200,000 acres of public land managed by BLM in California. An increase in the severity of wildfires is expected based on predicted climate scenarios, along with an extension of the wildfire season over much of the western United States. The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire hazard subsides:

• No campfire, barbecue or open fire, except in a furnished campsite. Portable gas, gelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel ranges are permitted with a valid California Campfire Permit available free of charge at any BLM, US Forest Service, and Cal Fire office, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/.
• No Target Shooting – Hot bullet fragments, explosive targets, and metal from recreational shooting can start a forest fire. The use of firearms for hunting is still permitted. Hunters must comply with the laws and regulations of the State of California. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for other recreational target shooting locations.
• No motorized vehicle off the roads or trails designated by BLM.
• No tools powered by internal combustion engines outside of BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
• Smoking is prohibited, except in a closed vehicle or building, on a developed recreation site or in other designated areas.
• No welding or operation of acetylene or other open flame torch.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order can be fined up to $ 100,000 and / or up to 12 months in jail. Restitution costs for the complete extinction of fires and the damage incurred may be borne by the intruder.

To find out how you can do your part to prevent forest fires, visit www.readyforwildfire.org. A list of fire restrictions across BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG. For specific questions, please contact the local Central Coast office at 831-582-2200, the local Mother Lode office at 916-941-3101 or the local Ukiah office at 707-468-4000.