Fire restrictions start Friday

Drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures and several large human-caused fires have prompted the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Nevada Division of Forestry's Sierra Forest Fire Protection District to announce that fire restrictions will be in effect starting Friday and will last until further notice.

Vegetation in western Nevada and eastern California has dried out significantly since receiving only about 50-percent of normal snowfall last winter. A large crop of grass and brush is evident at lower elevations, and trees and other forest vegetation at higher elevations are quickly drying out. The public is encouraged to safely enjoy the public lands, bearing in mind that the recent Trailer 1 and Red Rock fires were human-caused.

Motorists are advised to be careful when driving off-road, because hot exhaust systems can ignite dry grasses. The potential for another devastating fire during the summer is very real. Report fires to the Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden at 883-5995, or dial 911.

Fire Restrictions Prohibit:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material), campfire, or stove fire except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid fuel, outside of a developed fee campground or picnic area (except by permit).

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or at a developed campground or picnic area.

3. Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.

4. Using or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.

5. Possession or use of fireworks, or any other incendiary device.

6. Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets while recreational shooting.

7. Open burning (e.g. weeds, brush and yard debris).

In addition, the Nevada Division of Forestry restrictions within the Sierra Fire Protection District prohibit operating vehicles off of existing hard surface gravel roads or dirt roads in wildland areas, and operating vehicles or equipment traveling on or using wildland areas without at least an axe, shovel and one gallon of water. The BLM and the Forest Service recommend avoiding cross-country travel whenever possible to prevent grass from igniting from hot exhaust systems. All agencies recommend that individuals carry cell phones while in the wildlands or national forests to report wild fires.

Affected Areas:

BLM - all areas, roads and trails on the BLM-Carson District outside of developed recreation sites with the exception of Sand Mountain Recreation Area, and the portion of the Walker Lake Recreation Area within 100 yards of Walker Lake, or between Walker Lake and U.S. Hwy. 95 where campfires are permitted.

USFS - all areas, roads and trails within the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest with the exemption of using campfires within the approved fire pits or grills provided in developed recreation sites.

NDF - all areas, roads and trails within the boundaries of the Sierra Forest Fire Protection District in Carson City and Storey County. This order also applies to the following state parks: Lake Tahoe Nevada, Washoe Lake, the Carson River Ranches portion of Ft. Churchill and Dayton in western Nevada.

Citizens are reminded that the charcoal grills cannot be used during fire restrictions. Charcoal burns longer and hotter than wood and may appear to be cold; however, embers can linger for hours. Winds can spread the embers from charcoal and campfires into vegetation, igniting a wildfire. Propane or white gas stoves, however, are acceptable for use during fire restrictions.

As fire season continues, the BLM, Forest Service and NDF will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions and those who use or possess fireworks. Those found in violation of these prohibitions are subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law (agency statutes vary). Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.

For more information or clarification on the restrictions, contact the BLM-Carson City District Office at 775-885-6000, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest at 775-331-6444, or the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-849-2500.