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LAS VEGAS – The BLM Nevada Las Vegas Field Office announces the temporary closure of certain public lands in the Jean Dry Lake area October 6-October 7, 2023, to ensure public safety during the 2023 Rise Lantern Festival. This temporary closure controls access to multiple points of entry to the festival location to minimize the risk of vehicle collisions with festival participants and workers. It also ensures festival staff have adequate time to conduct clean-up following the event.

The closure area includes the Jean Dry Lake Bed and is bordered by Hidden Valley to the east, the Sheep Mountain to the southwest and the right-of-way boundary of State Route 604. The entire area will be closed to all vehicles and personnel except law enforcement, emergency vehicles, event personnel and ticketed festival participants. Festival participants must remain within the designated spectator areas.

To ensure public safety, BLM prohibits the following activities in the area during the temporary closure unless explicitly authorized:

• Camping.
• Possessing or consuming alcohol, if under 21 years old.
• Discharging or using firearms or other weapons.
• Possessing or discharging fireworks.
• Allowing any pet or other animal to be unrestrained at any time; animals must be on a leash or other restraint no longer than 3 feet.
• Operating any vehicle (including off-highway vehicles and golf carts) within the closure area, except along designated event routes to and from entrance and exit points and parking areas. Designated event vehicles and official vehicles are also excepted.
• Parking any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in a way that obstructs or impedes normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, creates a safety hazard or endangers any person, property or feature. Vehicles improperly parked will be subject to citation, removal and impoundment at the owner’s expense.
• Operating a vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or device.

The event sponsor will provide signs and maps directing the public to designated spectator areas.

The above restrictions do not apply to emergency vehicles and vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Nevada or Clark County. Vehicles under permit for operation by event participants must follow the event permit stipulations.

Authority for closure of public lands is found in 43 CFR 8341 and 43 CFR 8364.1

For additional information about the temporary closure, contact Kenny Kendrick, Supervisory Resource Management Specialist, BLM Las Vegas Field Office at 4701 N. Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 or 702-515-5073.