Recent seasonal changes in fuel moisture, combined with increased humidity, shorter days, and cooler night time temperatures have prompted the land management agencies to lift the fire restrictions put into place earlier this summer. Mike Beasley, Interagency Fire Management Officer for the Bishop Field Office and Inyo National Forest, urges the public to keep fire safety in mind to avoid resource and property damage. “While we are comfortable lifting the fire restrictions at this time, we urge the public to use common sense and exercise caution when recreating outdoors in order to decrease the chance of human-caused fires,” said Beasley.
Important fire safety reminders for outdoor activities on public lands include:
- Prevent vehicle related fires by maintaining proper tire pressure, ensuring adequate tire tread, and checking your brakes for overheating. Avoid traveling or parking on brush or grass. Ensure chains are not dragging while towing.
- Use of exploding targets, including Binary Explosive Targets, while recreationally shooting is both a fire hazard and illegal. Use of tracer rounds while target shooting is also a fire hazard and illegal. The use of steel-core ammunition, although legal, can greatly increase the chance of a wildfire.
- Motorcylcles, ATV’s and chainsaws require an approved spark arrestor.
- Get your California Campfire Permit online at http://www.PreventWildfireCA.org
