BLM announces seasonal fire restrictions for public lands managed by Bishop Field Office

BISHOP, Calif. –The Bureau of Land Management will implement fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Bishop Field Office in Inyo and Mono counties beginning Monday, July 2. The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

“These seasonal restrictions are needed to help protect public lands and nearby communities from wildfire,” said BLM Bishop Field Manager Steve Nelson. “Dry fuels and high temperatures have significantly increased fire danger and we need to minimize the potential for fire starts.”

The fire restrictions prohibit all campfires and barbecues, except in fire rings or pits within the Tuttle Creek, Goodale, Horton Creek, Crowley Lake and Pleasant Valley Pit campgrounds. Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed outside of these posted campgrounds, with a valid California campfire permit. Visitors should be extremely careful with their use. Wildland visitors should carry shovels and water.

Campfire permits are available free at any BLM, Forest Service or CAL FIRE office or by visiting http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/.

Other restrictions include:

• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a campground listed above, or while stopped in an area cleared of flammable vegetation for at least three feet.
• No possession or use of fireworks, including “safe and sane” devices.
• No welding or using open-flame torches.

Target shooters may not use incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor-piercing ammunition or targets made of material that could explode or emit sparks. Shooters must have shovels or fire extinguishers on hand.

BLM officials noted that violations of fire restrictions are be punishable by a fine up to $1,000, 12 months in jail, or both.

For more information, telephone the Bishop Field Office at 760-872-5000. Information on fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands across California is available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.

CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in Inyo and Mono Counties

BISHOP – The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Inyo and Mono Counties.

This suspension takes effect June 29, 2018 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

CAL FIRE’s Unit Chief for San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono, Glenn Barley said that “last year’s devastating fire season is a stark reminder to all Californians to be prepared for wildfires.”

Since January 1, 2018 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 2,700 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and building on their property.

Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

Clear all dead and or dying vegetation within 100 feet of all structures.

Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants

Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility

The Department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at www.PreventWildfireCA.org

For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org