Public Resources Code section 4297

Upon the showing of the director that the unrestricted use of any grass-covered land, grain-covered land, brush-covered land, or forest-covered land is, in the judgment of the director, a menace to life or property due to conditions tending to cause or allow the rapid spread of fires that may occur on the lands or because of the inaccessible character of the lands, the Governor through the director, may, by a proclamation, which declares that condition and designates the area to which, and the period during which the proclamation shall apply, require that the area be closed to hunting and fishing and to entry by a person except a person that is within one of the following classes:

(a)

Owners and lessees of land in the area.

(b)

Bona fide residents in the area.

(c)

Persons engaged in some bona fide business, trade, occupation, or calling in the area and persons employed by them in connection with that business, trade, occupation, or calling.

(d)

Authorized agents or employees of a public utility entering the area for the purpose of operating or maintaining public utility works or equipment within the area.

(e)

Members of an organized firefighting force.

(f)

A federal, state or local officer in the performance of their duties.

(g)

Persons traveling on public roads or highways through the area.

Source: Section 4297, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PRC§ionNum=4297.­ (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 4297’s source at ca​.gov