Nevada land agencies reduce some fire restrictions, will allow campfires in designated places

The Bureau of Land Management, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Nevada Division of Forestry will jointly reduce the current 2020 Nevada-wide fire restrictions, effective for all three agencies by Friday, Oct. 16, until further notice. The reduced fire restrictions will allow campfires in designated campground areas within Nevada.

Nevada has experienced an active 2020 wildfire season, with 709 fires burning 249,700 acres, the majority of which were human caused. Even though the statewide fire restrictions are being reduced, fire managers want to emphasize that the potential for large and rapid-growing fires is still present. Therefore, residents and visitors must remain vigilant and continue to recreate responsibly to prevent wildfires.

The October 16, 2020, fire restrictions supersede the previous statewide interagency fire restrictions put into place August 7, 2020 and will be jointly mandated and enforced by each agency in coordination with city and county governments and wildfire agencies.

Examples of the October 16, 2020 statewide fire restrictions include, but are not limited to:

— 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) outside an established fireplace in a picnic area, campground, improved camp site or places of habitation. The area must be clear of burnable vegetation for 6 feet, attended at all times, and extinguished when not attended.

— Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle.

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

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

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

Exemptions:
Each of the following persons is exempt from this order:

— Persons with a valid permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

— 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)
— BLM
— Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest- Nevada lands only

These restrictions apply only to public lands in the state of Nevada. The portions of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest located in eastern California remain in Stage 2 restrictions with no campfires allowed anywhere on the forest in California.

For more information or clarification on individual agency restrictions, go here. Possession of shovel, fire extinguisher and/or at least 5 gallons of water is recommended in the event of an unintentional fire start.

Please obey all fire restrictions. Members of the public are cautioned that failure to comply with these restrictions may result in criminal and/or civil penalties including fines or imprisonment. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held liable for the cost of suppression.

Remember, you are the first line of defense in preventing wildfires. Don’t get complacent with the cooler temperatures. Nevada’s public land management agencies and firefighters thank you for continuing to use extra precaution.

For more information or clarification on the restrictions, please contact the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2709; BLM State Headquarters at 775-861-6500; and Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest at 775-771-4777.