Fire Restrictions begin on BLM land in Desert District this Wednesday (5/21)

The Bureau of Land Management has elevated its seasonal fire restrictions effective Wednesday, May 21 for public lands managed by the BLM California Desert District within San Bernardino County. These restrictions will remain in effect until October 29 unless terminated sooner if conditions warrant. For most BLM land within the hi-desert, it’s now under a stage 1 restriction: Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites, or campfires within the Imperial County Special Recreation Management Areas, or campfires within the Dumont Dunes Special Recreation Management Area with a valid California Campfire Permit. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California Campfire Permit, and Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows, and air ducts. 2025_restrictions_map_508Download The public is reminded to follow these precautions: Always have a five-foot circle cleared around your campfire and have a California Campfire Permit. Maintain a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires. Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving. Never use steel targets, steel jacketed, steel core or incendiary ammunition for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire. No campfires or recreational target shooting during any Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch. Park vehicles away from areas where exhaust could cause grass or other combustibles to ignite. Violation of this order is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Free California Campfire Permits: https://readyforwildfire.org/permits/