Ongoing drought conditions have triggered early campfire restrictions on public lands throughout Northern California.
The Bureau of Land Management last week banned campfires and other potential fire triggers outside of developed campgrounds on its properties in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Solano counties.
"It is early," said fire mitigation specialist Jeff Tunnell. In normal years, restrictions don't go into effect until July, he said. But summer conditions already are here.
"A wildfire under these conditions could pose a serious threat to public land visitors and resources, and adjacent private lands and communities," said Ukiah field office manager Rich Burns.
Campfires and barbecues are allowed in designated, developed campgrounds, he said. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel are allowed only with a valid California campfire permit and those people are asked to be cautious and carry a shovel and water at all times.
Equipment and vehicles with internal combustion engine are banned outside of established roads or trails and smoking is allowed only inside an enclosed vehicle or building or at a designated recreation site, BLM officials said.
Fireworks and shooting with incendiary, tracer, steel core or amour piercing ammunition also are prohibited.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: