Notice: Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Bakersfield Office

*Important Notice from the USDA

Release Date: 05/14/15

Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Bakersfield Field Office

In response to the increasing high fire danger, the Sequoia National Forest, Tule River Reservation and Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office have announced fire restrictions for federal and state-protected lands within several Central California counties effective May 6.

For the BLM, this declaration includes all BLM public landsin Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. Fire restrictions affect all BLM recreational areas including Three Rivers, San Joaquin River Gorge, Lake Isabella, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows and the Carrizo Plain National Monument.The Forest Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs restrictions cover Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties.

Campfires and barbecues are only allowed in developed campgrounds or areas designated as exempt from fire restrictions. A list of designated exempt areas for the Sequoia can be obtained from Forest Service offices or on the website www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia

In addition, smoking is only permitted within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site (campground) or designated exempt area under these restrictions. Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads and designated trails on BLM lands and Sequoia National Forest and within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Ensure all vehicles and equipment are tuned and operating properly.

For BLM information, contact Ruth Ellison (661) 391-6000 ext. 6169.

For more information on the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, contact district public affairs officers Alicia Embrey, (559) 784-1500 ext. 1112, Denise Alonzo (559) 539-2607 ext. 72212, or Cody Norris, (760) 376-3781 ext. 635.

For the Tule River Reservation, contact the Tule River Fire Department, (559) 784-1590, or the Tule River Tribal Office, (559) 781-4271, for specific fire restriction.

--BLM--

Central California District2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825

2015 Fire Prevention Order

Year-round Fire Restrictions

These restrictions shall apply to all public lands within the California Desert District regardless of stage restrictions and are applicable year round. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in Title 43 CFR 9212.1 They include: