When should BLM be closed for fire danger?

[PTLaro]

I thought it will be interesting to see when BLM will close for recreational shooting in 2017.

I believe it closed in July 2016 and mid June 2015. Since we have had a good year of rain and as many have seen the grass is much taller than in previous years. Will CalFire, which BLM follows, going to issue fire danger closures earlier this year.

It seems on the news that they are already talking about the "amount" of fuel that has grown from the rains this year.

Is there something we can do to have the closure start later in the year under safe conditions.

I thought I would start the conversation with a poll

[Jimi Jah]

July 1st is the normal schedule here. It may come even earlier, depends on soil moisture and overgrowth. Cal Fire sets the restrictions and BLM follows.

I suspect it will close earlier than last year due to all the excessive foliage and growth, a lot of material to burn this year.

What is assured is this has become our "new normal" living here.

[Supersapper]

They are right at least about the fuel. At one place I go, the dry grass is almost as tall as a human and thick enough that you'd have to hack through it to cross it.

Funny how they will close BLM lands near residential areas for shooting because of fire season and the amount of fuel, but the same residents who want it closed because of the "fire danger" from ammunition, campfires and cigarette butts are the same people who absolutely REFUSE to allow the fire department (or CalFire) to do a controlled burn to get rid of the extra fuel.

I know this because I talked to a couple of CalFire folks once. They've brought up the issue of fuel before and a controlled burn, but all the "residents" at the meetings were apoplectic about it. There was adamant resistance/refusal.

I wonder if they are able to "adamantly resist" the errant lightning strike? Or cigarette butt?

[Blade Gunner]

SD Fire Department does fire triage on what houses to save in wild fires. If you have a defensible space cleared of brush, they'll try and save your house. If not, they'll let it burn.

[PTLaro]

I have often thought they should do some controlled burns. I guess now I know why they don't.

Too bad because it is also good for nature. I was at Yellowstone in the 1980's when they had a big fire and they let it burn for that very reason. It does have benefits.

[Jimi Jah]

There is far too much backcountry for controlled burns here, it won't affect much acreage. Plus many so called controlled burns have jumped lines and turned into damaging wildfires. If I lived back there I would be very afraid of that. That's what those residents are afraid of, human incompetence. Lightning fires are rare here in San Diego County. Arson is a far larger threat.

[Jimi Jah]

BTW, Highway 78 will be closed for the next 4 weekends to repair the stretch between San Pasqual and Weekend Villa Rd in Ramona. An alternate route is south or on Hwy 67.

[glockman19]

Get Pedro out there with a weed wacker...probably less expensive than fighting a fire.

I'm against ever closing off PUBLIC land to the PUBLIC for any legitimate legal use.

[Supersapper]

True, but at the BLM place I shoot, they've done at least 2 controlled burns already. And I was there at an "unplanned burn" a year or so ago. I'm only level 2 firefighter trained, so I'm not a super expert, but if they can do it in the area they did it, and were able to easily control the unplanned one, I think they could do it there with little difficulty.

I was only suggesting it as a way to burn off the fuel in a specific area so that campers, shooters, etc would have a place that wouldn't burn again for a while.

JUst a thought anyway...not meant to be divisive.

There is far too much backcountry for controlled burns here, it won't affect much acreage. Plus many so called controlled burns have jumped lines and turned into damaging wildfires. If I lived back there I would be very afraid of that. That's what those residents are afraid of, human incompetence. Lightning fires are rare here in San Diego County. Arson is a far larger threat.

[sdfire]

Hopefully they won't close the local stuff until after July . There may be a way to have volunteers deal with the tall grass under Blm and cal fire supervision. I am currently looking into it. In the meantime , the more small groups that can regularly clean is our best way to keep the areas open longer for the year. Also be sure to bring extra water , fire extinguishers, and/or shovels just in case you are out there and see any smoldering in the weeds. But always be safe.