The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed public lands near Cedarville and Fort Bidwell due to wildland firefighting operations for the S-1 Vya Fire.
The emergency closure takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice to ensure public and firefighter safety, according to the agency’s Applegate Field Office. The fire began on Aug. 24.
The affected area spans public lands situated between Modoc County Road 1 to the west and Nevada Highway 34/Fort Bidwell Road to the east. The northern boundary is marked by Modoc County Road 6/Barrel Springs Byway, and the southern boundary extends to Nevada State Route 8A.
The Fee Reservoir Campground is included in the closure and is currently inaccessible to the public.
Under Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations, exceptions to the closure order include:
- Federal, state, and local officers or employees performing official duties.
- Members of organized rescue, medical, or firefighting crews.
- BLM employees, agents, and contractors on official business.
- Individuals holding written permission signed by an authorized BLM officer.
- Grazing permittees impacted by the fire, acting in coordination with the Applegate Field Office.
Notice of the closure is posted online via the BLM Applegate Field Office website and BLM California social media channels. Physical notices are posted at the Applegate Field Office, the Surprise Field Station, and along major access intersections including Modoc County Road 1 at County Roads 6, 15, and California Highway 299, as well as Nevada Route 8A at Highway 34.
Violators may face federal penalties, including fines under 18 U.S.C. 3571 and up to 12 months imprisonment under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a). State and local penalties may also apply.
Members of the public seeking additional information can contact the Applegate Field Office at 530-279-6101.
