Fire restrictions lifted for Yuma, Lake Havasu

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is lifting fire restrictions on the lands administered by the Yuma and Lake Havasu field offices.

The lifting of fire restrictions that go into effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday includes public lands in Yuma, La Paz and Mohave counties in Arizona and Imperial, San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California.

Sufficient moisture has been received throughout these areas, and fire restrictions are no longer necessary, according to the BLM.

The BLM is still advising the public to be extremely careful and exercise the following precautions when using fire:

• Make sure you have a ten-foot circle cleared around your campfire.

• Be sure to have a shovel and plenty of water on hand.

• Put the fire completely before leaving.

Also, smokers need to make sure their cigarettes or cigars are put out when they are through smoking and dispose of them properly. Remember not to park motor vehicles where the exhaust system could cause grass or other vegetation to ignite.

The BLM implemented the fire restrictions on the 2.5 million acres of the public lands it manages along the Colorado River in Arizona and California in May due to the dangers of wildfires.

The restrictions were necessary, according to BLM, due to rising seasonal temperatures combined with very dry vegetation. The spring rains also resulted in the growth of wildflowers, grasses and other vegetation that was dying and poised to become fuel for wildfires as temperatures increased.

Current fire restriction information can also be found online at www.publiclands.org/firenews or www.azfireinfo.com, or call the fire restriction hot line toll-free at 1-877-864-6985. To report a wildfire, call Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-309-7081.

“The BLM greatly appreciates the public's cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires this summer on BLM lands,” said Angie Lara, BLM Colorado River District manager. “Even though restrictions are no longer needed, we're asking the public to be very careful when using fire. Under the right conditions, our public lands still have potential for wildfires to spread rapidly and become dangerous.”

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.