Fire Prevention Order

Mother Lode Field Office
CND-xxx-20-04

Effective May 29, 2020

Due to increased wildland fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode 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Regulations (CFR) §9212.2, within the boundaries of the BLM Mother Lode Field Office starting May 29, 2020, and until rescinded by the Mother Lode Field Manager.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. These fire restrictions and all state and local wildfire prevention laws and regulations shall apply to all BLM-managed public lands located in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Tuolumne and Yuba counties, including the recreational areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers.

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 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.preventwildfireca.org/Permits.
• All recreational target shooting is temporary prohibited under this order. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
  (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. Campfire permits are addressed in the above prohibition section and do not apply as a broad exception permit.

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 www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions

These prohibitions are in addition to the General Fire Restrictions contained in 43 CFR 9212.1.
Issued in El Dorado Hills, California this 29 day of May, 2020.

Information is available on the Mother Lode Field Office Fire and Fuels Hotline by calling 916-941-3155.
For specific questions, please contact the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101. Monday – Friday, 8:00
a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ELIZABETH MEYER-SHIELDS
BLM Mother Lode Field Manager

Mother Lode Field Office, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

You can download the official BLM notice here.