BLM NEWS — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (USFS), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Nevada Division of Forestry’s (NDF) announce the lifting of fire restrictions that have been in place since June 28, 2013. Restrictions will expire at 12:01 a.m., Friday morning, Sept. 27, 2013. Additionally, the cooperating agencies of Storey County Fire Protection District and Carson City Fire Department will also be removing restrictions within their jurisdictions.
Campfires still require a campfire permit on the Carson & Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Also, Carson Ranger District will end “Hoot Owl” firewood cutting restrictions for all of its woodcutting areas.
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Washoe County will remain under current restrictions until further notice. For all other jurisdictions, contact your local fire department.
“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. We encourage the public to continue enjoying their federal, state, and private lands responsibly by being very careful with any fire.”
In 2013, within the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch zone, human caused fires were lowered from 56 percent in 2012, to 31 percent in 2013.
“It is difficult to determine the exact reason; nonetheless, in 2013 the public deserve congratulations for a job well done, “added Shane McDonald, BLM Fire Management Officer. “Human caused fire starts were down dramatically.”
Recreationists are reminded to be fire safe with all their outdoor activities, including insuring that 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 all federal and Nevada’s state and 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; the NDF at 684-2500, the BIA at 775-887-3500, and the USFWS at 775-423-5128.
