CARSON CITY, Nev. - The Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamations, and Nevada Division of Forestry announce the lifting of fire restrictions that have been in place since July 29, 2023. This rescission affects public lands in 11 counties in western Nevada and eastern California. Restrictions will expire at 12:01 a.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Agency Fire Management Officers recommend lifting fire restrictions due to decreasing daily sunlight, increasing fuel moisture levels, and cooler evening temperatures. However, the potential threat for wildfires remains, so they encourage the public to continue enjoying their federal, state, and private lands responsibly by being very careful with any fire.
Recreationists are reminded to be fire safe with all their outdoor activities, including ensuring that campfires are dead out. Leaving campfires unattended is a class B misdemeanor. Other important reminders for all outdoor enthusiasts include the following:
1. The use of incendiary or tracer rounds while recreational shooting is always prohibited.
2. Riding motorcycles/ATVs without a spark arrester and careless smoking can all cause unwanted wildland fires.
3. The use of propane stoves versus campfires and charcoal grill fires is still preferred in dry conditions.
4. Firewood cutters must have a chainsaw with a functioning, approved spark arrester screen on the exhaust.
5. Open burning on private land still requires a permit from local fire departments.
6. Always avoid driving or parking on dry grass.
As a reminder, the following safety tips should be followed while target shooting:
* Refrain from shooting during hot, dry, and windy conditions.
* Do not use incendiary or tracer ammo. Incendiary and tracer ammo are always prohibited on public lands.
* Place your targets on dirt or gravel areas clear of vegetation and avoid shooting into rocky areas. Placing a target in dry grass increases the risk of fire.
* Be aware that all types of ammunition can start fires under the right conditions, especially steel core ammunition.
* Bring a container of water. This may seem obvious, but shooters often fail to bring enough water to put a fire out. A five-gallon bucket of water readily available while shooting could prevent a disaster if a fire does start.
* Bring a shovel. Use the shovel to dig a trench around your targets before shooting to ensure that any fire caused by sparks can be easily contained.
* Shoot at quality steel targets designed to minimize risks to both the shooter and the environment. For steel targets to be functional and safe, they should be made of high quality through hardened steel that has a Brinell hardness number of at least 500.
* Do not shoot trash. Trash like old couches and TVs can often be found illegally dumped on public land but can be dangerous fire hazards when shot.
* Please shoot responsibly and clean up after shooting.
BLM’s Statewide Prevention Order remains in effect until Oct. 31, 2023, unless rescinded. Information can be found at:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a5a9120f09ca4b9c6e3e342/t/644852c1297e0874af7fe03e/1682461378429/2023+BLM+NV_Fire+Prevention+Order_signed.pdf
Affected areas include the following:
BLM - All areas, roads, and trails on the BLM-Carson City District outside of developed recreation sites except for Moon Rocks Recreation Area. These restrictions are in addition to and not separate from those which were issued at the BLM state level. https://bit.ly/3Qifalb
BIA - All lands administered by the BIA located within or adjacent to the BLM NV Carson City District. Approximately 300 allotments encompassing 59,310 acres in Douglas County, Nevada, within the Carson Watershed that the U.S. Government (BIA) holds in trust for hundreds of individual Indian landowners, collectively known as the Pine Nut Allotments.
RECLAMATION - The order applies to Reclamation-administered lands within the Newlands Project boundary administered by the Lahontan Basin Area Office, in Churchill, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties. Exception: the Lahontan Recreation Area.
USFWS - All areas, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Stillwater, Anaho Island and Fallon National Wildlife Refuges. Campfires are prohibited on these refuge lands year-round.
NDF - State Parks and recreation areas in the Western region, including Washoe Lake, Mormon Station, Lahontan Lake, Buckland Station, Walker River, Dayton, Fort Churchill and Rye Patch State Parks. State Park staff may further restrict activities, such as building and maintaining campfires within approved fire enclosures or designated picnic areas based on local conditions and when “Red Flag" conditions are in place.
Information on other restrictions and closures can be found on the Nevada Fire Information site at https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures
For more information, please contact the BLM at 775-885-6000, BIA at 775-887-3500, Reclamation at 916-978-5100, the USFWS at 775-423-5128, Ext 235, and Nevada Division of Forestry at (775) 684-2500.
Source: Bureau of Land Management