Its always been the case in the National forest and parks but not BLM. Must be something new.
Yea I knew about national forest. But not with blm so there saying we now need one for glamis or ocotillo wells?
This is sort of like the the "Fuel Jug" urban legend. Yes it is true you can get a free Camp Fire permit at any Ranger Station or on the BLM website. But this permit is primarily for National Forest and our deserts are not classified as National Forests, so there would be no enforcement of the permit.
The BLM will say the permit is highly suggested, but there is no law or citation # if you do not have one. The big reason they would like you to have one is you have to answer a series of fire safety questions, prior to being able to print the permit out. If you were to do this and later cause a fire. This could be used against you as far as showing knowledge & liability.
Several years ago while working with an off-road race promoter in Plaster City. One of the Rangers which was brought in from Northern California's forestry dept. did not know the rules, and asked the promoter about spectators and their fire permits. A 3 minute phone call to the El Centro BLM office cleared it all up, and the Ranger did not ask another camper about their "permits". I honestly think that might have been the day this "Fire Permit" in the desert Urban Legend started.
Anytime you read these possible new rules or laws the best way to confirm and not spread the rumor is to call the local BLM office. Or in this case the El Centro office covers everything from Plaster City/ Supertition to the Imperial Sand Dunes.