Press release
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest are implementing fire restrictions. The restrictions are in effect on all BLM public lands managed by the Bishop Field Office and Inyo National Forest lands with the exception of certain wilderness areas (see list below).
“We look at fuel (vegetation) moisture and other fire danger indices to determine when it’s time for fire restrictions.” said Inyo National Forest Supervisor, Ed Armenta. “Record high temperatures and drying conditions in the past several weeks have led to the increase of fire activity we have seen throughout the Eastern Sierra and California.”
“This year’s late season rain and snow produced a substantial grass crop that has created a continuous fine fuel bed to feed fires,” said Steve Nelson, Field Manager of BLM’s Bishop Field Office. “The nearer to average winter was a welcome change, but it was not enough to take the edge off the drought and the potential for a severe fire season.”
Beginning July 1 at midnight 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 visitor centers, and on the website, http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd507554.pdf (Inyo National Forest) and http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd507759.pdf(BLM, Bishop Field Office).
- Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free of charge at visitor center or online athttp://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/) 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.
Most Inyo National Forest Wilderness Areas are exempt from this order including Hoover, John Muir, Ansel Adams, Boundary Peak, White Mountains, Golden Trout, and South Sierra wildernesses. Resorts, pack stations, recreation residences and other sites operated under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service or BLM may be exempt from the special orders, as long as any fire activity is conducted in compliance with their permit.
Residents and visitors are reminded that fireworks, even “safe and sane” are not allowed at any time on public lands.
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Unattended and improperly drowned campfires? Discarded cigarettes? Fireworks? Stupidity.
Lightning is the biggest cause. How come everything consider to be fun is now being outlawed ? It’s like a sixth grade nun is running our government .
We need to ban all lightning
It only takes one idiot.
I wonder how many fires have been started by a DRUNK idiot who thought “nothing is going to happen.”
Hey low Inyo, anything else you hate besides Republicans and off roaders?r
….nope….
BobK…Let me elaborate some on your question…the two things that are destroying our Country….one of them with their lies and Fear-mongering…..the other with demands to open up and destroy all the open-land and wilderness….are the two things you asked me about…..there’s a better answer than just a “nope”….
Peter…Let’s not get too carried away here….Have never heard or seen a campfire IN a campground get out of hand and starting a forest fire…campgrounds have a good clearance around the fire-box,and placed where there are no overhead trees or branches….off roaders driving through brush off-trail,or throwing their cigarette butts out the window are much more likely to start a fire..gosh,just what we all need….plan a camping and fishing trip….catch a few trout….in the evening,fire up the BBQ,and then have some “authority” come by,stomp out the campfire,and write you a citation…..sounds like a good vacation.
Given the conditions and after years of drought, these restrictions don’t go far enough. We need to ban all campfires including at designated campsites this year, period.
Come on Peter, I just got done reading one lecture.