Monday, The Bureau of Land Management, the Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the Nevada Division of Forestry's Sierra Forest Fire Protection District and Galena Creek Regional Park announced new fire restrictions beginning right away.
"Generally, these orders go up in July most years, but this year, our fuel conditions are such that we had to implement the restriction orders way sooner than we normally do," said Dennis Terry of Carson City District Bureau of Land Management.
The order prohibits fires outside campgrounds and picnic areas. It also prohibits smoking in those areas or outside your vehicle and there's no welding, charcoal grilling or open burning.
You can be given a $10,000 fine or six months in jail or both if you are caught breaking these restrictions.
"When we reach a point where our fuels are so dry that it's going lead to rapid fire growth, we have to implement the restrictions."
Currently campfires are allowed at Washoe County's Davis Creek Campground, except during Red Flag Warnings, but worsening conditions could result in further restrictions. The Forest Service is allowing campfires in some of the developed campgrounds throughout the two districts.
For a list of affected area, please contact the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office at 775-331-6444 in Sparks, the Carson Ranger District at 775-882-2766, or the Bridgeport Ranger District at 760-932-7070.
Written by Chris Ciarlo
