Nevada public land agencies elevate statewide fire restrictions to prohibit all campfires

In response to the current severe risk of wildfire, the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest elevated the current fire restrictions on August 7. The heightened restrictions prohibit all open flame campfires on state and federal lands, including within developed campgrounds, day use areas and dispersed camp areas.

Land managers increase fire restrictions based on several factors. Currently, Nevada is experiencing record dry conditions with much of the state in a severe drought. The monsoonal moisture that is typical for this time of year has not yet surfaced, and officials expect the already critically dry fuels to continue to deteriorate ever further throughout the month of August.

Due to the current fuel conditions, there is a high likelihood of a fire exhibiting extreme behavior and posing containment problems for firefighters. State and federal agencies have also experienced an increase in public land use and human-caused fires.

To date, there have been more human-caused fires across the state than what is normally averaged in an entire year. Based on a combination of these factors and Nevada’s public land management agencies commitment to protecting its residents, fire restrictions are being updated to better match the current wildfire season and conditions.

Examples of statewide fire restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal BBQ or stove fire (except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel).

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle.

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. Discharge, use, or allowing the use of fireworks, tracer rounds, explosive targets, or any other incendiary device.

6. Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation.

Please note that additional fire restrictions may apply and vary by agency. For more information or clarification on individual agency restrictions, visit www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures.

Possession of shovel, fire extinguisher and/or at least 5 gallons of water is recommended in the event of an unintentional fire start.

Exemptions:
Each of the following persons is exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a valid permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

2. Any federal, state, local officer or member of an organized firefighting entity, in the performance of an official duty.

Affected areas include the following: All areas, roads, trails and lands administered by:

— State of Nevada (All Nevada State Parks and Recreation Areas)

— Bureau of Land Management

— Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Nevada and portion of eastern California)

The restrictions will remain in place until further notice and will be jointly mandated and enforced by each agency in coordination with city and county governments and wildfire agencies. Members of the public are cautioned that failure to comply with these restrictions may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. An individual can be fined up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail for illegal campfires. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held civilly and criminally liable.

Nevada’s public land management agencies want to remind the public that they are the first line of defense in preventing wildfires. As such, they are urging residents to recreate safely and obey all fire restrictions. Nevada’s firefighters thank you for using extra precaution during these trying times.

For more information or clarification on the restrictions, please contact the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2709; BLM State Headquarters at 775-885-6500; and Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest at 775-771-4777. For more details on state and federal fire restriction in Nevada, please visit nevadafireinfo.org.