BLM Bishop Field Office & Inyo National Forest Announce Fire Restrictions

BISHOP, CA, June 22, 2012 – Effective Monday June 25, the Bureau of Land Management is implementing fire restrictions on all BLM-managed public lands within the Bishop Field Office boundary.  At the same time, the U.S. Forest Service is implementing fire restrictions on the Inyo National Forest.  The restrictions are in effect on all Inyo National Forest lands, including wilderness areas, and all Bureau of Land Management public lands managed by the Bishop Field Office.  Campfires, briquette barbeques, smoking, fireworks, any kind of explosives and the use of acetylene or other torches, will be restricted due to increased fire danger.

“Well below average rainfall this past winter and warmer than average temperatures has led to very dry vegetation for this time of year,” said BLM Bishop Field Manager Bernadette Lovato. “We are experiencing very high fire danger and continued hot and dry weather patterns here in the Eastern Sierra.”

Beginning June 25, and until further notice, the following restrictions will be in effect:

• NO CAMPFIRES, briquette barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of designated developed recreation sites and specifically posted campsites or areas.  A list of designated campgrounds and recreation sites is available at local Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, and on the Inyo National Forest website, www.fs.usda.gov/inyo.

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free of charge at any Ranger Station or Visitor Center) are not exempt from the prohibitions but are allowed to use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.

• NO FIREWORKS.  It is prohibited to possess or discharge any fireworks.
• NO SMOKING except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• NO WELDING or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.
• NO USE OF EXPLOSIVES, except by permit.

Resorts, pack stations, recreation residences and other sites operated under special use permit from the Forest Service or BLM may be exempt from the special orders, as long as any fire activity is conducted in compliance with their permit.  Special Use Permit holders should contact their permit administrator to make sure they are on the list of exempt sites, or check the information for special use permit exemptions on the Inyo National Forest Website, www.fs.usda.gov/inyo.

Lovato and Inyo National Forest Supervisor, Ed Armenta urge the public’s cooperation in helping to prevent wildfires in this year of high fire danger, and they remind both residents and visitors that fireworks, even “Safe and Sane” are not allowed at any time on public lands.

For further information, please call Debra Hein at (760) 872-5057 or Nancy Upham at (760) 873-2427.