Carson City, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District along with other agencies responded to three human-caused wildfires this past weekend. The BLM would like to remind the community to be aware of the increased chance of wildfire due to extreme dry conditions and hot temperatures.
“The public needs to be mindful of the dry conditions and the very high risk of wildfire.” said Shane McDonald, Fire Management Officer. “Everyone is encouraged to safely enjoy the public lands, bearing in mind that human-caused fires annually threaten human life, private property and public land resources.”
McDonald encourages the public to take appropriate steps to prevent human-caused fires. In situations such as the anticipated high wind days, the BLM and other firefighting agencies rely heavily upon the public to make sensible decisions in regards to fire on public and private land.
Individuals responsible for starting a wildfire can be held liable for the cost of suppression, resulting in civil or criminal penalties. In addition, violations of a Fire Prevention Order are punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
On June 30, fire restrictions went into effect on public lands managed by BLM in western Nevada:
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, 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 (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device.
- Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting.
“We are concerned with the increased frequency of human caused wildfires over the past week,” McDonald said. “We want to make the public aware that each time a fire is started, whether by intent, negligence or accident, our firefighting and support personnel are put in harm’s way due to the inherent dangers that are part of wildland firefighting”.
Over the weekend there were three human-caused fires which burned approximately 333 acres. So far this year, there have been 14 fires which burned approximately 765 acres on lands managed by the Carson City District.
The potential for devastating fires during the summer is very real. Report fires to the Sierra Front Interagency Fire Dispatch Center, Minden, Nevada, 775-883-5995, or dial 911.
For more information contact Lisa Ross at 775-885-6107.
