The Bureau of Land Management says fire restrictions throughout Nevada will be enacted early due to COVID-19 concerns.
Officials said several agencies are mandating early fire restrictions on Wednesday, April 15 until further notice.
They affected areas include:Â
• State of Nevada – All Nevada Division of Forestry managed areas, including roads and trails on state lands and within all Nevada State Parks and Recreation Areas.
• USFS – All lands administered by the Humboldt-Toyaibe National Forest in Nevada and parts of CaliforniaÂ
• BLM – A statewide Fire Prevention Order will be in effect for all BLM administered lands
Fire restrictions and prevention orders prohibit the following:
State of Nevada and USFS:Â Igniting, 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.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.
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BLM:Â Campfires
- Campfires, charcoal and stove fires are only allowed within an area that is clear of any vegetation for a minimum of 6 feet in all directions. It is preferred to utilize agency approved fire structures or rock rings.
Smoking - Smoking is only permitted within an area that is clear of any vegetation for a minimum of 3 feet in all directions.
The BLM says Nevada has already experience 27 wildfires burning more than 170 acres, all caused by human activities that could have been prevented. They said with the COVID-19 pandemic, the early fire restrictions are necessary to ease the strain on Nevada's first responders.
Nevadans are still encouraged to enjoy outdoor spaces safely and responsibly, by following social distancing guidelines, recreating close to home and avoiding group gatherings of ten or more people.
Residents are still urged to carry a shovel, fire extinguisher and at least five gallons of water in the event of an unintentional fire.
