MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District is reminding the public that the use of all fireworks including “safe and sane" are prohibited year-round on all BLM-managed public lands throughout southern California. Restrictions also include the use of floating sky lanterns, fire balloons or acetylene balloons. These rules apply regardless of fire restrictions, including on public lands within the city limits of cities that allow "safe and sane" fireworks.
“With the long July Fourth weekend beginning next Friday, it’s important now more than ever to get outside and safely enjoy the outdoors with family and friends," said Andrew Archuleta, BLM California Desert District Manager.
Members of the public are encouraged to stay safe during the holiday weekend by following fire restrictions and recreational shooting rules on public lands. The public is also reminded to exercise personal safety when recreating outdoors in hot temperatures.
Other public safety reminders include:
* Stage II and III fire restrictions are still in effect on public lands within the California Desert District as shown on the online map and in this order. The elevated restrictions address the use of campfires, controlled flame devices and smoking on public lands. The actions prohibited by this seasonal Fire Prevention Order are in addition to acts already outlined in the statewide Fire Prevention Order, which provides year-round campfire permit requirement, maintaining a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires, and guidance for extinguishing campfires on BLM-managed public lands in California.
* Recreational target shooting restrictions that were implemented on April 29 on BLM-managed public lands within San Diego, eastern Kern, western Riverside, western San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties are still in place. Violations are punishable by a fine up to $100,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Also, the possession or use of any steel jacketed, steel core or armor-piercing ammunition of any caliber is illegal on BLM-managed public lands year-round.
The community can help minimize human-caused wildfires by doing the following:
1. Make sure to have a five-foot circle cleared around a campfire.
2. Be sure to have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put the fire DEAD OUT, before leaving.
3. Do not use steel targets for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.
4. Park motor vehicles away from locations where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite
For more information about wildfire prevention from the BLM, please contact: California Desert District Office (951) 697-5200, Barstow Field Office (760) 252-6000, El Centro Field Office (760) 337-4400, Needles Field Office (760) 326-7000, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office (760) 833-7100 or Ridgecrest Field Office (760) 384-5400.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
