El Dorado Hill, CA…The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is increasing fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations for BLM-managed public lands in the Sierra Nevada foothills effective Aug. 27, due to high fire danger. These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order, issued on April 28, and the initial fire restrictions issued by the Mother Lode Field Office on May 29, which will remain in effect until further notice.

The BLM-managed public lands affected by these fire restrictions are primarily located in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Tuolumne and Yuba counties, including the recreational areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers.

The additional fire restriction includes no campfires, barbeques or open flame of any kind, even if you are in a developed campground. Portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jelled petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed both in and outside of a developed campground with a valid California campfire permit, available free at any U.S. Forest Service, BLM or CalFire office, as well as online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/.

The BLM’s top priority is always the safety of our staff and recreating public. Please remember to only park legally when using BLM-managed recreation sites. Parking along state routes and county roads can block access for firefighting engines and emergency vehicles, delaying life-saving services.

This has already been an active wildland fire year with fires occurring close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
• No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.
• No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• No explosives.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG. The latest recorded information is available on the Mother Lode Field Office Fire and Fuels Hotline by calling 916-941-3155. For specific questions, please contact the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.

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. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.