Fire restrictions in Western Nevada to be lifted Friday; Carson City restrictions to remain in place

Fire restrictions on public land in Western Nevada, in place since June 30, will be lifted this Friday, Sept. 30, agency managers announced Wednesday. The Carson City Fire Department, however, has no intention at this time of lifting fire restrictions within the city limits.

The restrictions lift is for land managed by Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Nevada Division of Forestry in conjunction with Nevada State Parks. Restrictions will expire at 12:01 a.m.

Carson City Fire Chief Bob Schreihans urges citizens to "be vigilant" when it comes to fire prevention, noting the fire danger is still high around Carson City. Burn permits in Carson City usually are opened to the public at the end of October into December.

On state and federal lands in western Nevada, campfires will still require a campfire permit on the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Also, Carson Ranger District will end “Hoot Owl” firewood cutting restrictions for all of its woodcutting areas.

"Decreasing daily sunlight, increasing fuel moisture levels, and cooler evening temperatures are allowing us to lift fire restrictions," note the agency Fire Management Officers. "However, the potential threat for wildfires remains, so we encourage the public to continue enjoying their federal, state, and private lands responsibly by being very careful with any fire.”

Recreationists are reminded to be fire safe with all their outdoor activities, including ensuring that campfires are dead out. Leaving campfires unattended is a class B misdemeanor. Other important reminders for all outdoor enthusiasts include the following:

— The use of exploding targets including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting is prohibited at all times.

— Target shooting – use of tracer rounds and steel-core ammunition can greatly increase the chance of a wildfire.
Riding motorcycles/ATVs without a spark arrester and careless smoking can all cause unwanted wildland fires.

— The use of propane stoves versus campfires and charcoal grill fires is still preferred in these dry conditions.

— Fireworks are always illegal to possess and use on all federal and Nevada’s state and private lands. On some tribal land some exceptions may apply.

— Firewood cutters must have a chainsaw with a functioning, approved spark arrester screen on the exhaust.

— Open burning on private land still requires a permit from local fire departments.

For more information, please contact the BLM-Carson City Field Office at 885-6000; the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest at 882-2766 in Carson, and at 760-932-7070 in Bridgeport; the NDF at 684-2500, the BIA at 775-887-3500, and the USFWS at 775-423-5128.

On Sept. 21, Carson City Fire Department issued a reminder to citizens that the fire danger remains high throughout the area.

One Spark Away: Wildfire risk remains high around Carson City
Fire season is still in full swing, regardless of clouds in the sky and a few rain drops; Carson City is at risk, just one spark away from a major fire. Weather conditions play a very integral part in the daily planning and readiness level for fire agencies.

A Red Flag Warning, also known as a Fire Weather Warning, is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire ignition, and rapid spread.

After five years of drought conditions, low regional humidity, and high or erratic winds, a Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies. Carson City often alters staffing and equipment resources to accommodate the forecast risk because a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire.

In recent weeks the Carson City Fire Department has seen several fires start from seemingly innocent activities.

Recently, two fires occurred in populated neighborhoods. The first started from burning a small pile of yard debris and the other was from welding on an off-road vehicle. A third fire started as a result of target shooting in the hills of Carson City.

The first two were caught early and created only moderate damage; the third, although reported early, burned over 240 acres in just a few hours.

Here are things the public can do on Red Flag Warning days:

• Safety chains on trailers should be properly secured.
• Don’t drive over dry grass or vegetation.
• Postpone target shooting.
• Avoid yard work or welding near dry vegetation.
• Report any fire, smoke or unsafe activity which could lead to a fire, immediately.
The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed and while the weather in Carson City is changing; our risk of wildfire is still great. Remember - all fires start small!