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BLM temporarily closing Knoxville Recreation Area due to Snell fire danger
This temporary closure includes the Knoxville Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, Northside Staging Area, Hunting Creek Campground and the Knoxville Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
The closure is necessary to protect public land users from active wildfire, to safeguard wildland fire fighters from recreational activities and to shield natural resources that may require rehabilitation after fire suppression. These areas will remain closed to public access until further notice.
The Snell fire started on Saturday afternoon along Butts Canyon and Snell Valley roads. As of Sunday night, the fire was 2,400 acres and 20-percent contained, burning primarily in grassy oak woodlands in difficult terrain, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuations are in place and portions of Berryessa Knoxville Road and Snell Valley Road are closed. The most current information is available at http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2244.
The Cow Mountain Recreation Area sustained heavy damage during the Mendocino Complex fire and remains closed to all access.
All public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office are under fire restrictions, which prohibit recreational target shooting and ban all campfires and open flame. Read more at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-ukiah-increases-fire-restrictions-limits-shooting-Aug2018.
A complete listing off all fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in California is available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions.
For specific questions, please contact the Ukiah Field Office, Monday through Friday, at 707-468-4000.