BLM Bishop Field Office & Inyo National Forest Announce Fire Restrictions

Effective Friday, June 28, the Bureau of Land Management- Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest are implementing fire restrictions. The restrictions are in effect on all BLM public lands managed by the Bishop Field Office and all Inyo National Forest lands, including wilderness areas. “Ongoing drought conditions, well below average rain and snowfall this past winter and warmer than average temperatures have led to very dry conditions for this time of year,” said Inyo National Forest Supervisor Ed Armenta. “We are experiencing very high fire danger and continued hot and dry weather patterns here in the eastern Sierra.”

Beginning June 28, and until further notice, the following restrictions will be in effect:

• NO CAMPFIRES, briquette barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of designated developed recreation sites and specifically posted campsites or areas. A list of designated campgrounds and recreation sites is available at local Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, and on the Inyo National Forest website, www.fs.usda.gov/inyo. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free of charge at any Ranger Station or Visitor Center) are not exempt from the prohibitions but are allowed to use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.

• NO FIREWORKS. It is prohibited to possess or discharge any fireworks.

• NO SMOKING, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• NO WELDING or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.

• NO USE OF EXPLOSIVES, except by permit.

Resorts, pack stations, recreation residences and other sites operated under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service or BLM may be exempt from the special orders, as long as any fire activity is conducted in compliance with their permit. Special use permit holders should contact their permit administrator to make sure they are on the list of exempt sites, or check the information for special use permit exemptions on the Inyo National Forest Website, www.fs.usda.gov/inyo.

Steve Nelson, Acting BLM Bishop Field Manager and Armenta urge the public’s cooperation in helping to prevent wildfires in this year of very high fire danger, and they remind both residents and visitors that fireworks, even “Safe and Sane” are not allowed at any time on public lands.

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit also wants to urge everyone to be not only fire safe, but fire aware.  As the weather heats up to possibly record highs, the potential for wildland fire ignitions increases as well.

CAL FIRE Suspends Burning Permits

CAL FIRE is suspending burning permits on ALL STATE RESPONSIBILITY LANDS WITHIN SAN BERNARDINO, INYO AND MONO COUNTIES. This is being done because of the extreme potential for destructive wildland fire. The burn suspension will become effective at 6:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 25, 2013, in accordance with Section 4423.1 of the California Public Resources Code. The suspension is effective except in incorporated cities. Additionally;


1. The use of campfires is restricted to campfire facilities located within established campgrounds that are open to the public.

2. Cooking fires with a valid permit are permissible when no alternate means of cooking is available and requires an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit.

3. Warming fires are permissible and require an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit when weather conditions exist to justify the request.

We have already witnessed active burning conditions on several wildland fires within San Bernardino and Inyo Counties and throughout southern California. Homeowner’s responsibility is the key to fire safety. Following the law and having their 100 feet of defensible space (or to the property line) is a great first step in making their homes and property fire resistive. For more fire safety tips go to http://www.readyforwildfire.org/

Once again, the Burning Permit Suspension is effective beginning Saturday morning, May 25, 2013 and will remain in effect until the suspension is terminated by CAL FIRE.