July 17, 2012 - Effective today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing fire restrictions on all BLM-managed public lands within the Mother Lode Field Office boundary. This includes BLM-managed public lands in Nevada, Yuba, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Sacramento, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Sutter and Mariposa counties, a total of about 230,000 acres. The fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
These restrictions prohibit all open fires on public lands because of extremely dry conditions, according to Gerald Martinez, fire management officer. "With the recent high temperatures, fuels are extremely dry," he said.
Campers are urged to be familiar with special limitations prior to visiting any public lands in these counties. A valid California campfire permit is required for all fires. Campfire permits are available free of charge at any BLM, Forest Service, or California Department of Forestry Office, but campers need to be aware of restrictions in the area they are visiting.
The following restrictions apply:
· No open fires, campfires or open fire stoves, except lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.
· No welding or use of any torch with an open flame, except by special permit.
· No use of explosives, except by special permit.
· No operating internal combustion engines, except on maintained roads.
· No firing tracers or incendiary devices capable of starting a fire.
· No fireworks.
Violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year in jail. For additional information contact BLM's Mother Lode Field Office at (916) 941-3101.
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