With hot weather, dry lightening and drought conditions arriving this summer, conditions for explosive brush and forest fires across the Silver State has increased. Because of this, the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office has announced plans to begin statewide fire restrictions on public lands beginning Friday, July 16.
Even with heavier rain and snowfall over the winter and spring that amounted to above normal moisture for the season, brush and vegetation in on Nevada's western slopes and the Eastern Sierra of California has since dried out, according to the BLM.
Lately, swaths of wild grass and under brush has arriving at the lower elevations and trees and other forest vegetation at higher elevations are quickly getting sapped out, according to the BLM.
OHV users are advised that 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, Minden, Nevada, (775) 883-5995, or dial 911.
Fire Restrictions Prohibit:
— 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).
—Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or at a developed campground or picnic area.
— Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.
— Using or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.
— Possession or use of fireworks (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device.
— Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets while recreational shooting.
— Open burning (such as weeds, brush and yard debris).
Additionally, 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 include:
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.
Barbecue enthusiasts 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.
Those who do not comply with posted restrictions use or possess fireworks, face fines of up to $10,000 or six months in prison under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.
Call 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.