Inyo County California

From the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments:

With the Fourth of July holiday drawing thousands of visitors to the region, partners across Inyo and Mono counties are launching a shared wildfire prevention campaign urging the public to “Ignite Adventure, Not Wildfire.”

The campaign is part of the Visitor Connection Package (VCP), a collaborative effort to deliver coordinated, region-wide messages that promote safety, stewardship, and sustainability on public lands and in gateway communities.

According to the 2024 Inyo County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, July is the month with the highest number of wildfire ignitions in the county, making the holiday weekend a critical time for fire prevention outreach.

“This is more than a safety message, it’s an invitation to connect,” said Kristen Pfeiler, Wildfire Coordinator for the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments. “You came here for something real, for wide-open skies, quiet trails, and the feeling of freedom only wild places can give. But this freedom comes with responsibility. Every campfire, every spark, every choice you make leaves a mark. Protecting this place means being part of it, not just passing through. One small act of care and attention can preserve our home and what drew you here in the first place.”

This July 4, take these steps to help protect the places you love:

✅Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect: No campfires or charcoal outside developed campgrounds.

✅Check Red Flag Warnings before lighting a fire or heading out.

✅Get a free campfire permit before using stoves, BBQs, or permitted fires.

✅Carry water, a shovel, and fire extinguisher when camping or off-roading.

✅Fully extinguish all fires: Drown, stir, and repeat until cold.

✅Stay on designated roads and trails to avoid igniting dry vegetation.

✅Secure trailer chains to prevent sparks. The Independence Fire Safe Council provides free sleeves made from recycled fire hose to help cover chains – an easy, local solution inspired by BLM’s One Less Spark campaign.

For all wildfire prevention resources, including fire restriction updates, campfire permits, Red Flag Warnings, and safety tips, visit:
👉 www.whitebarkinstitute.org/igniteawareness
This website serves as a central hub for timely and locally relevant information.

Partners are encouraged to share campaign content from July 1-6 using materials available at www.vcptoolkit.org. Coordinated social media posts will also be published through the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation channels. To be added to a collaborative post, please email jackyates@mltpa.org.

Funding for this campaign is provided by CAL FIRE’s Fire Prevention Program through California Climate Investments.