Risk of wildfires increases during summer season
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- It is that time of year again when people who are enjoying the outdoors need to be very careful not to do anything that might start a wildfire.
The Bureau of Land Management announced the implementation of fire restrictions for this year on May 29.
The danger is particularly high this year. Vegetation in western Nevada and eastern California is significantly dryer than usual because of below average moisture this past winter and spring and warmer than average temperatures.
Fire restrictions prohibit:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material), campfire, or stove fire except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid fuel, outside of a developed fee campground or picnic area (except by permit).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or at a developed campground or picnic area.
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.
4. Using or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.
5. Possession or use of fireworks (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device.
6. Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or any type of exploding targets including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting.
7. Open burning (e.g. weeds, brush and yard debris).
In addition, the Nevada Division of Forestry restrictions within the Sierra Fire Protection District prohibit operating vehicles off of existing hard surface gravel roads or dirt roads in wildland areas, and operating vehicles or equipment traveling on or using wildland areas without at least an axe, shovel and one gallon of water.
The BLM and the Forest Service recommend avoiding cross-country travel whenever possible to prevent grass from igniting from hot exhaust systems. All agencies recommend that individuals carry cell phones while in the wildlands or national forests to report wild fires.
The BLM has said it will be aggressively citing anyone who is caught not complying with the posted restrictions. Violators can be fined up to $10,000 or sentenced to jail for up to six months.






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