The dry land is a powder keg

In view of the number of wildfires occurring in western Nevada, we are offering sage advice from numerous government agencies.

Due to the historic wet winter and spring, drying vegetation, increasing daytime temperatures, and several human-caused fires the Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District Office; the Nevada Division of Forestry, Western Region; the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Nevada Agency; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex announce the implementation of fire restrictions on all lands under their jurisdiction effective until further notice.

Vegetation in western Nevada and eastern California is significantly more then we have seen in previous years (including 2016) because of the wet winter and spring. Warmer than average temperatures have increased the rate of vegetation dry-out. A large crop of grass and brush is evident at lower elevations and trees and other forest vegetation at higher elevations is quickly drying out. People are encouraged to safely enjoy the public lands, bearing in mind that human-caused fires threaten human life, private property, and public land resources every summer.

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.

Fire restrictions prohibit the following:

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 or any other incendiary device.

Use of tracer rounds (always prohibited), steel-core ammunition, or exploding targets, including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting.

In addition, the NDF prohibits operating vehicles or equipment traveling on or using wildland areas without at least an axe, shovel and one gallon of water. All agencies recommend that individuals carry cell phones while in the wildlands or national forests to report wildfires.

As a reminder, refrain from shooting during hot, dry and windy conditions.

As fire season continues the BLM, NDF, BIA, and USFWS will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine and/or imprisonment (agency statutes vary). Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.