The office manages 270,000 acres of public land within nine counties in Northern California, including Lake.
The fire prevention order, issued by Field Manager Nick Lavrov, goes into effect on Friday, June 24, and is in effect until Lavrov rescinds it.
It prohibits campfires or open flames of any kind, except those within approved fire pits or grills in developed recreation sites; recreational target shooting, except with a valid hunting license as part of legal hunting; operating any internal combustion engine — including chainsaws, generators and ATVs — off of BLM-designed roads and trails; smoking, unless within an enclosed vehicle or trailer, or designated campground in a cleared area; possession of welding or open flame torches; and explosives.
The full order is published below.
Fire Prevention Order
Ukiah Field Office
Order Number CAC05000-22-01
Due to increased wildland fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office is prohibiting the following acts under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701, et. seq.) and pursuant to 43 Code for Federal Regulations (CFR) §9212.2, within the boundaries of the BLM Ukiah Field Office starting at 12:01 a.m. on June 24, 2022, and until rescinded by the Ukiah Field Manager. These prohibitions are in addition to acts already prohibited under 43 CFR §9212.1 and year-round California Fire Order CA910-2020-001.
In the interest of wildfire prevention, public safety, and in compliance with 43 CFR §9212.2, these BLM actions complement and support state and local wildfire prevention; all state and local wildfire prevention laws and regulations shall apply to all BLM-managed public lands within the State of California.
Acts prohibited and defined under this order:
• Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire or open flame of any kind is prohibited, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills already provided in developed recreation sites (see exhibit A), with a valid California campfire permit. Controlled flame devices, such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed and require a valid California campfire permit. California campfire permits are available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices or at www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/.
• All recreational target shooting is temporary prohibited under this order. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
o except with a valid State of California hunting license and being actively engaged in the legal take/pursuit of game and non-game species in accordance with current California hunting regulations.
• Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g., chainsaws, generators, ATVs) off BLM designated roads and trails. All internal combustion engines, with the exception of registered street legal vehicles, must be equipped with a properly installed and maintained spark arresting device.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer or while stopped/standing in a designated developed campground with a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials and away from federal facility doors, windows and air ducts.
• The possession or operating of any welding, acetylene device or other open flame torch that uses oxygen and fuel gases to weld and cut steel or metallic components. Welding and torch definitions and direction pursuant to 43 CFR §912.2, U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1910.252(a).
• No explosives.
Exemptions
Pursuant to Title 43 CFR §9212.2(b)(3), each of the following persons are exempt from this order:
1) Any Federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in performance of an official duty.
2) Persons with a permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited acts.
Red Flag Warnings
During the issuance of Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, as determined by the National Weather Service (NWS), all use of campfires, is temporarily suspended to reduce the potential of unintended wildland fire ignitions for the period of the event.
Penalties for violating this order
Anyone who is found guilty of violating a fire prevention order, which may be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor Offense under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) FLPMA, 18 U.S.C. 3559, and 18 U.S.C. 3571 Sentence of Fine – Sentencing Reform Act, Oct. 12, 1984, that does not result in death, may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or in accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3571. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.
Additional Information
A map of current restrictions and active Fire Prevention Orders are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG.
Fire weather forecasts are available through the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/fire/.
These prohibitions are in addition to the General Fire Restrictions contained in 43 CFR 9212.1. Issued in Ukiah, California this 21st day of June, 2022.
For questions, please call 707-468-4000, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nick Lavrov
BLM Ukiah Field Manager
Ukiah Field Office
2550 N. State Street, Suite 2, Ukiah, CA 95482