Nevada’s public land agencies implemented updated 2020 fire restrictions this week to help reduce the threat of wildfires statewide. The new restrictions, which were implemented May 30, supersede previous orders from mid-April and are effective until further notice.
Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest together say Nevada is facing an elevated risk of a severe and potentially catastrophic wildfire season due to drought conditions, dense, dry vegetation and other factors. The restrictions are jointly mandated and will be enforced by each agency in coordination with local governments and wildfire agencies.
Already in 2020, Nevada has experienced 98 wildfires; 96 of which were caused by human activities that could have been prevented.
Examples of 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 6 feet from burnable vegetation, 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.
Additional fire restrictions may apply. For more information or clarification on individual agency restrictions, visit www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures.
Possession of a 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:
- 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 and portion of eastern California)
For more information or clarification on the fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org or contact the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2709; BLM State Headquarters at 775-885-6000; and Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest at 775-771-4777.
