BLM seasonal fire restrictions are now in effect

The Bureau of Land Management has issued seasonal fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Bakersfield office that are effective until further notice.

Seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order, according to a BLM statement.

Fire restrictions primarily affect BLM-managed public lands located within the jurisdiction of the Bakersfield Field Office (in eastern Fresno, western Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument, Keysville Special Recreation Management Area, Lake Isabella and San Joaquin River Gorge) and the Central Coast Field Office (in western Fresno, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties including Panoche, Tumey and Griswold Hills).

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95 percent of all wildfires in California, according to the BLM news release. “Records show recreational target shooting has sparked more than half the wildland fires within the Central Coast Field Office boundary in the last decade, posing considerable threat to public safety,” said Central Coast Field Manager Ben Blom. “Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.”

The following fire restrictions will go into affect for both field offices:

• Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Shooters actively engaged in the legal take/pursuit of game and non-game species must have a valid California hunting license and must abide by California laws and regulations.

• No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.

• No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).

• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.

• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

BAKERSFIELD FIELD OFFICE RESTRICTIONS:

• Target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel-core, steel-jacketed or armor-piercing ammunition. No steel targets allowed — hot bullet fragments. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed.

• No campfires or open flames of any kind. Portable stoves with gas, jelled petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices, or at readyforwildfire. org/prevent-wildfire/ campfire-safety.

“Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, it is necessary to implement these seasonal fire restrictions,” said Bakersfield Field Manager Gabriel Garcia. “These proactive measures are put in place to help protect public land visitors, communities, and natural resources from the risk of wildfire. We ask for your cooperation to help minimize fire potential.”

Fire Prevention Orders for the BLM-managed public lands in the Bakersfield, and Central Coast field offices are available online. To learn more about how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www. readyforwildfire.org.

A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at http://ow.ly/RQVm50JcYrV. For specific questions, please contact the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000.

The Kern County Fire Department is excited to announce its first Inspiring Women Through Opportunities training camp.

The event is a one-day training camp, focusing on the physical and mental application it takes to become a firefighter with the Kern County Fire Department. It was take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4 at the Olive Drive Fire Training Facility at 5642 Victor St. in Bakersfield.

Firefighters will be on hand discussing the physical aspects of the job, everything from the initial physical fitness test to get into the fire academy to what it feels like spraying a fire hose.

We will also be looking at ways to study for the written exam portion of getting into the fire service. Finally, each “recruit” will be getting an exclusive, hands-on experience with the tools of the trade, such as the Jaws of Life extraction tool, according to a KCFD news release.

The Kern County Fire Department will be fitting each potential firefighter will Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which will allow them to know what it feels like to be in “turnouts” while carrying rescue tools, a ladder and a hose.

Attendees must be at least 18 years old. The event is open to anyone who has thought about firefighting as a career. Space is limited, and an RSVP is required. Registration will close June 1 or when the camp is full.

Caltrans announced nighttime lane closures on Highway 99, between Delano and McFarland, which started Sunday, for roadway maintenance.

The following changes will occur, weather permitting: Highway 99 will be reduced to one lane in both directions between Whisler Road and County Line Road until June 30, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The release also noted that the reduced lane sections will be no longer than one mile in length at any time during active road work.

The city of Bakersfield announced Real Road will be closed in both directions between Stockdale Highway and Elcia Drive from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. today until Friday.

The closure is needed for the relocation of temporary concrete barriers.

Southbound traffic will be routed from Stockdale Highway to Wible Road and onto Belle Terrace. Northbound traffic will be routed from Belle Terrace to Wible Road, and onto Stockdale Highway.

The head of Cal State Bakersfield’s School of Business & Public Administration will provide a rundown on the university’s new Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation during a free, hourlong webinar starting at noon today.

Interim dean John Stark will join webinar host Kelly Bearden, director of CSUB’s Small Business Center, following a brief summary of remaining pandemic relief and business recovery programs.

Stark also expects to offer a preview of specialized and direct training opportunities being made available to existing businesses.

Questions will be taken live. Sign up online at www.tinyurl. com/BusinessRelief115.