Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road closed due to fire restrictions in the Mother Lode Field Office

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mother Lode Field Office is temporarily closing motorized vehicle access to the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road in Mariposa County, where it crosses onto BLM lands, approximately one mile from the junction of Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road with Bear Valley Road. The closure is effective today, Thursday, August 15, and will be in effect until fire restrictions are lifted for the season. The closure of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road is not to be confused with the Hunter Valley Road which remains open. The Hunter Valley Road is located approximately two miles east of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road along Bear Valley Road. The temporary closure ordercan be found on the BLM website.

"This closure is necessary to protect public health and safety; and prevent wildfire," said Mother Lode Field Manager Jeff Horn. During the recent Pedro Fire, which burned BLM lands along the northern portion of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road, it was discovered that target shooting was occurring in multiple locations along this road. Target shooting is not permitted during fire restrictions because hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire.

The temporary closure on Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road will remain in effect until seasonal fire restrictions are rescinded.

Visit www.wheretoshoot.orgfor alternative recreational target shooting locations. To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. Fire restrictions for all California BLM-managed public lands can be found on online. For more information, please visit the Mother Lode Field Officewebsite or call 916-941-3101.