News Release

For Release: October 31, 2006
Contact: Tim Jones (707) 825-2300 or Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-07-9

BLM Lifting Fire Restrictions on California North Coast

With the arrival of cool fall weather in Northern California, the Bureau of Land Management has announced it is easing fire restrictions for public lands managed by its Arcata Field Office in Humboldt, Trinity and northern Mendocino counties.

The restrictions, in effect since early summer, will be lifted Wednesday, Nov. 1.

"Easing of restrictions means that people can again use campfires outside of developed recreation sites," said BLM Fire Management Officer Tim Jones. He said campfire permits are required and can be obtained from the Arcata Field Office, 1695 Heindon Rd., Arcata, or from the King Range National Conservation Area Office in Whitethorn.

"Despite the cooler weather and predicted rain, people still need to be careful with fire," Jones said. "Fires should never be used on windy days, and campers must fully extinguish campfires before leaving a campsite."

BLM fire crews will take advantage of fall conditions to begin burning piles of limbs, brush and beach grass in various areas of the King Range, the South Spit of Humboldt Bay, at the Headwaters Forest Reserve, and at the Samoa Dunes and Ma-Lel recreation areas near the Humboldt Bay north spit. The piles were created when crews worked on hazardous fuels reduction, forest health improvements and exotic plant eradication projects.

Piles will be ignited only on days when weather allows for safe and effective burning.

The BLM earlier lifted fire restrictions on public lands in Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and eastern Trinity counties. Restrictions remain in effect for public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office in southern Mendocino, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Colusa, Yolo and Glenn counties.

Seasonal fire restrictions also have been lifted in some Northern California national forests, but may remain in effect in others. Public land visitors should check on conditions in the areas they plan to visit for information on current fire restrictions.

-BLM-

Arcata Field Office 1695 Heindon Rd. Arcata, CA 95521