Fire restrictions have been lifted for most of western Nevada today. The 2013 summer fire season was a busy one with many fires spring up in the area such as thisnature-caused blaze near Silver City.
The Bureau of Land Management 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 lifted today fire restrictions that have been in place since late June.
Churchill County falls within BLM’s Carson District.
The BLM said 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.
“Decreasing daily sunlight, increasing fuel moisture levels, and cooler evening temperatures are allowing us to lift fire restrictions,” said 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 dropped from 56 percent in 2012 to 31 percent this year.
“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.”
The BLM also reminds recreationists 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.