With July's rainfall reducing risk of more wildfires, BLM lifts fire restrictions in forests

BLM Gila District Manager Tom Dabbs approves lifting restrictions in place since May 16.
  Monday, July 25 - “After a long and active fire season, I am happy that July’s rainfall reduces the risk of more wildfires,” said Tom Dabbs, Gila District Manager of the Bureau of Land Management.   “Our firefighting personnel responded to nearly 100 fires this year, and many of them, such as the Monument Fire, were devastating.”  Gila District staff dedicated thousands of hours to fire suppression in 2011.

  Those enjoying the outdoors should still be extremely careful with campfires, smoking materials, and spark-producing equipment. Make sure you have a ten-foot circle cleared around your campfire, have a shovel and plenty of water on hand, and put the fire dead out before leaving.

  Smokers need to extinguish and properly dispose of cigarettes or cigars.
 

  Remember not to park motor vehicles where the exhaust system could cause grass or other vegetation to ignite.  Fireworks are always restricted on public lands.

  For information on fire restrictions throughout Arizona, visit the Public Lands Information Center website at www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php or call the Interagency Fire Hotline at 877-864-6985.

  About BLM

  The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.