Stage 1 fire restrictions take effect Wednesday, July 1, across central and northwest Nevada as fire danger increases, bringing new limits on campfires, smoking, welding and other activities that could spark a wildfire.
The restrictions apply to lands within or managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Nevada Division of Forestry in Humboldt, Pershing, Eureka, Lander, Nye, Esmeralda, Churchill, and portions of Washoe and Lyon counties north of Interstate 80.
Under the restrictions, people may not build, maintain, attend, or use wood, charcoal, or other fires, campfires, or stove fires except by permit or in developed fee campgrounds or picnic areas. Portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed.
Smoking is prohibited except inside an enclosed car or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of flammable material.
People may also not operate or park cars or other motorized equipment on dried vegetation, or perform welding, metal grinding, or use acetylene or other open-flame torches without a permit.
The restrictions remain in effect through October 31 unless they are lifted earlier. People who knowingly or willfully violate the restrictions may face fines and may be held responsible for fire suppression or rehabilitation costs resulting from their actions.
Officials are also encouraging the public to help reduce wildfire risk by avoiding activities that create sparks, including dragging chains or recreational shooting during hot, windy conditions, staying aware of dry vegetation and fire weather, and carrying fire suppression tools such as a shovel, fire extinguisher, and at least five gallons of water.
The Bureau of Land Management's Winnemucca and Battle Mountain districts continue to enforce year-round statewide restrictions prohibiting fireworks, pyrotechnic or incendiary devices, explosives, tracer, incendiary or steel component ammunition, and operating combustion engines without a properly installed and maintained spark arrestor.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Nevada Agency said the restrictions also apply to the Lovelock Paiute Tribe, Summit Lake Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Yomba Shoshone Tribe and Winnemucca Indian Colony, although certain tribally owned lands managed by tribal councils may be exempt.
Within the U.S. Forest Service's Santa Rosa Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, campfires are only allowed in approved fire pits or grills at developed recreation sites. Operating chainsaws or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Nevada Division of Forestry said all state lands, Nevada state parks, and recreation areas are under fire restrictions. State park staff may impose additional limits based on local conditions, including during Red Flag conditions.
Officials encourage the public to check area-specific restrictions before visiting public lands because agencies may have additional restrictions or exemptions, and rules may differ in other parts of Nevada. Current fire restrictions, wildfire information, and prevention resources are available at NevadaFireInfo.org.
