BLM Temporarily Suspends Target Shooting in Central California Due to Wildland Fire Danger

September 13, 2020 – EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management reminds recreationists that target shooting is prohibited on all BLM-managed public lands throughout the Central California District due to extreme wildland fire danger. This restriction will remain in effect until further notice.

The ban includes all forms of recreational shooting. The only exception is those individuals with a valid State of California hunting license and being actively engaged in the legal take or pursuit of game and non-game species in accordance with current California hunting regulations. Hunting on BLM public lands is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/hunting for more information.

“The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve and right now we all have a duty to recreate responsibly to help protect Californians from the devastating effects of wildland fire,” says BLM Central California District Manager Chris Heppe. “We look forward to allowing target shooting again when conditions improve.”

The target shooting restriction applies to all BLM-managed public lands located primarily in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, western Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba counties. This restriction also applies to popular recreational shooting areas such as the Indian Valley Management Area, including Walker Ridge; North Cow Mountain Rifle Range; and Griswold, Panoche and Tumey hills. The order is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xGkJ4.

This year, wildfires have burned a record 3.1 million acres across California with four months remaining in the fire year. Public land visitors should stay informed on current fire conditions, have an escape plan, exercise extreme caution, know the fire restrictions and recreate responsibly. Specific fire restrictions for the five field offices within the Central California District are available online: Bakersfield, Bishop, Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah.

Visitors are also reminded that all use of open flame is prohibited, including campfires, barbecues, portable stoves and lanterns on BLM-managed public lands in California, regardless if in a developed campground, effective Sept. 8.

Anyone found guilty of violating this order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

The BLM Central California District encompasses more than two million acres of public land in the heart of the state stretching from the Pacific Ocean through the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevada and the California/Nevada State Line. These areas offer the public a vast array of scenic and recreational opportunities, as well as a wealth of natural resources.
Source: BLM