BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is lifting its fire restrictions Sunday, Dec. 3, on approximately 404,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties.
Easing of fire restrictions, due to reduced fire potential, will also affect all BLM-managed recreational areas, including Three Rivers, San Joaquin River Gorge, Lake Isabella, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Fire restrictions were initiated May 23.
The public is reminded to remain cautious when recreating on public lands to prevent a wildfire. For more information, visit readyforwildfire.org/Prevent-Wildfire. Safety tips include not driving a vehicle onto dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and bucket of water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. To learn more about campfire safety, visit preventwildfireca.org/Campfires.
As part of “Leave No Trace," shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. Hot bullet fragments and exploding targets from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Shooters are responsible for fires started by recreational activities.
The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities it serves, providing opportunities for economic growth with space for traditional uses such as ranching, mining, logging and energy development, as well as hunting and fishing.
Homeowners are reminded to keep 100 feet of clean open space around their homes to provide defensible space. For more information and tips, visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/. For specific questions, contact Ruth Ellison, BLM, at 661-391-6169.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
