Multiple agencies charged with managing western Nevada’s public lands announced Wednesday that fire restrictions would go into effect this year beginning Saturday, June 30 and last until further notice.
The ban will be implemented across all land managed by the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Western Nevada Agency, Public Domain Allotments and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
The restriction does not effect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Forest spokeswoman Erica Hupp said there will likely be no restrictions on forest land until after July 4.
Though, with the July 4 weekend fast approaching, Humbolt-Toiyabe did send out a notice Wednesday reminding the public that fireworks are prohibited on public lands.
The restrictions set to begin June 30 include campfires, smoking and the use of certain types of ammunition while target shooting.
Restrictions are being set in place due to drying vegetation, an increase in daytime temperatures and several recent human-caused fires, according to a press release announcing the restrictions.
The vegetation load is significantly higher than years past, partly due to a wet spring, the release says. That vegetation has been dried out by the higher-than-average temperatures in recent weeks.
Violation of the restriction could result in a fine and/or imprisonment, depending on the agency.
Activities prohibited by the restriction:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material), campfire or stove fire except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum 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.
- Operating vehicles or other motorized equipment off of existing paved, gravel or dirt roads.
- 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 or any other incendiary device.
- Use of tracer rounds (always prohibited), steel-core ammunition, or exploding targets, including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting.
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