The Bureau of Land Management is reminding northeast California residents
and visitors to be careful with fire and to leave fireworks at home when they celebrate Independence
Day on public lands.
“High desert rangelands are drying out quickly, and we’ve already had several human-caused fires on
BLM-managed lands,” said Emily Ryan, manager of the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville.
“These fine fuels can feed wildfires that spread rapidly under hot, dry and windy conditions. We urge
everyone to keep fire safety top of mind when they’re outdoors.”
Ryan stressed that it is illegal to possess or use fireworks, including “Safe and Sane” devices sold at
fireworks stands, on public lands and in national forests. In Lassen and Modoc counties, fireworks
sold at fireworks stands are allowed within the Susanville and Alturas city limits and in Adin.
Outdoor recreation visitors should follow these safety tips:
• Keep your cellphone handy and call 911 to immediately report any fires.
• Know about fire restrictions in the area you plan to visit. Online fire restriction information for
California is updated as soon as conditions change.
• Never use steel targets, exploding targets, steel jacketed, steel core, or incendiary ammunition
for recreational shooting as they are more likely to cause a fire.
• Ensure that your vehicle is well maintained with nothing dragging on the ground. When towing,
be sure safety chains are not dragging and causing sparks. Maintain proper tire pressure and
brakes, as rims hitting pavement and sparks from worn brakes can cause sparks that lead to
wildfires.
• Get a free campfire permit from any CAL FIRE, Forest Service or BLM office, or online. Keep
campfires small and completely extinguish them before leaving camp. The best method is to
douse the fire with water, stir the ashes and douse again, ensuring that ashes are cold to the
touch.
Those exploring back country in vehicles must stay on established roads and trails and avoid driving
over dry brush and grass that could be ignited by hot exhaust systems.
Firewood cutters should operate chainsaws only in the cool morning hours and keep a shovel and fire
extinguisher nearby. Chainsaws must be equipped with spark arresters in good working order.
Operating hours may be restricted during seasonal fire restrictions.
