July 13, 2022 - REDDING, Calif. — With temperatures rising and fire dangers increasing, the Bureau of Land Management is reminding the public about the need to follow designated shooting hours and adhere to precautions regarding ammunition and target types.

Iron Mountain Shooting - Public access shooting areas along Iron Mountain Road, west of Redding. Photo by Eric Coulter, BLM.

“We have already had a fire at the Iron Mountain shooting area because of sparks caused by a steel target,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office.  “This early fire season incident is a reminder that a small spark can quickly grow into a fire that can endanger lives and property.”

Under fire prevention orders now in place, the BLM allows target shooting only from a half-hour before sunrise to noon daily on northwest California public lands in Shasta, Siskiyou, Butte, Tehama, Trinity, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties.  Additionally, shooters must follow these safety regulations:

• Incendiary, tracer, steel core or armor piercing ammunition are not allowed.
• Exploding targets or any other target, including steel, that could emit sparks are not allowed.
• Shooters must have a shovel or fire extinguisher on hand at all times.

Additionally, the BLM noted, shooters should:

• Place targets on dirt or gravel, away from flammable vegetation or rocks that could cause sparks.
• Be aware of weather conditions and avoid shooting when red flag warnings and fire weather watches are in place.  Avoid shooting during hot and windy weather.

Details on fire restrictions, including target shooting rules and interactive maps, can be found at https://on.doi.gov/3bYQ9cl or by contacting the Redding Field Office at 530-224-2100.
Source: BLM