See Also: friends/news/2012/burn-ban

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/june/fire_restrictions.html

Western Nevada's Public Lands: Heed New Fire Restrictions Due to Severe Drought

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 (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device.

6. Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets including Binary Explosive 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, and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest 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. All agencies recommend avoiding cross-country travel whenever possible to prevent grass from igniting from hot exhaust systems and 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. Highway 95 where camp fires are permitted.

Forest Service – all areas, roads and trails within the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest with the exception of using campfires within the approved fire pits or grills provided in open Fee 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. Violation of these prohibitions is 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, please 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.

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/october/blm__forest_servi...

BLM, Forest Service, & Nevada Division of Forestry Lifting Western Nevada Fire Restrictions on October 12

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District Office, the Carson & Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Nevada Division of Forestry’s Sierra Forest Fire Protection District announce the lifting of fire restrictions that have been in place since June 18, 2012.

Restrictions will expire at 12:01 a.m., Friday morning, October 12, 2012.

"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 high until we receive significant moisture this fall. We encourage the public to continue enjoying their federal, state, and private lands responsibly by being very careful with any fire.”

“One needs only to remember the Caughlin Ranch and Washoe Drive fires of this past fall and winter to understand the risk to human life, property, and natural resources we still have at this time.”

Nevada State Parks that are lifting fire restrictions include Lake Tahoe Nevada, Washoe Lake, the Carson River Ranches portion of Ft. Churchill, and Dayton.

Campfires still require a campfire permit on the Carson & Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Recreationists are reminded to be fire safe with all their outdoor activities, including insuring that their campfires are dead out. Leaving campfires unattended is a class B misdemeanor. Other important reminders for all outdoor enthusiasts include the following:

Target practice, 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 Nevada’s federal, state, or private lands.
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; or the Nevada Division of Forestry at 684-2500.