Merced River Recreation Management Area
The Merced River Recreation Area is near the entrance to Yosemite National Park in the Merced River Canyon in Mariposa County.
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM

July 1, 2021 - EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – Due to dry conditions and high wildland fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is increasing seasonal fire restrictions beginning on Thursday, July 1 and will remain in effect until further notice.

The increased restrictions include no campfires, barbeques, or open fires, regardless of whether in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed with a valid California campfire permit, available free on-line at www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/ and at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.

BLM-managed public lands affected by the restrictions are primarily located in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties. Fire and shooting restrictions will also affect BLM-managed recreational areas along the American, Merced, Mokelumne, South Yuba and Tuolumne rivers.

California is experiencing drought and an increased risk of wildland fires. Nearly 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans. The public is advised to be extremely careful when recreating outdoors and do the following: always carry a shovel and water and check weather forecasts and fire danger ratings before leaving home. The following restrictions/limitations will remain in place until fire dangers subside:

• No campfires, barbeques, or open fires, regardless if you are in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are authorized with a valid California campfire permit.
• No target shooting; use of firearms for hunting is still allowed.
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a designated developed recreation site.
• No tools powered by internal combustion engines (chainsaws, lawn mowers, generators, etc.) off established roads or trails.
• No motorized vehicles off established roads or trails.
• No fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except by special permit.
• No use of explosives, except by special permit.

For an interactive map and complete list of restrictions, please visit the BLM California Fire Restrictions. For recorded information, call the Mother Lode Field Office Fire and Fuels Hotline at 916-941-3155. Information on how to prevent wildfires can be found at www.readyforwildfire.org/. For specific questions, contact the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.
Source: BLM