RENO—The strict prohibition on fires on Nevada’s public lands will be softened starting Friday, Oct. 16, according to federal land management agencies, allowing for campfires in designated campgrounds in Nevada.
Officials from the Bureau of Land Management, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Nevada Division of Forestry say fire danger hasn’t gone away, with the potential for “large and rapid-growing fires” still present. To-date, the majority of the 709 fires burning in Nevada—nearly 250,000 acres—were human-caused.
“Remember, you are the first line of defense in preventing wildfires,” a joint statement noted. “Don’t get complacent with the cooler temperatures. Nevada’s public land management agencies and firefighters thank you for continuing to use extra precaution.”
According to the statement, the updated fire restrictions only apply to Nevada and supersede the previous statewide interagency fire restrictions put into place Aug. 7.
Restrictions will be jointly mandated and enforced by each agency in coordination with city and county governments and wildfire agencies. Failure to comply with the restrictions could result in civil and/or criminal penalties, and in the case of causing a fire, the cost of fire suppression.
Examples of the Oct. 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.
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, according to the statement.
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.
