CASPER, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management Wyoming’s Cody, Lander and Worland Field Office’s have issued Stage 1 fire restrictions “due to dry conditions and high fire danger” effective Friday, July 17.
The restrictions apply to public lands administered by these BLM offices in the following counties:
- Fremont
- Hot Springs
- Natrona
- Washakie
- Hot Springs
- Big Horn
- Park
Stage 1 fire restrictions for BLM land in Natrona administered by the Casper Field Office began on July 1. Such fire restrictions are also in effect in a number of other counties as explained on the BLM Wyoming’s website.
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BLM Wyoming say decisions to implement restrictions are based on factors like projected weather conditions, the amount of dry vegetation and more.
“These fire restrictions are a result of our continued coordinated relationships with our fellow wildfire cooperators,” said Fire Management Officer Rich Zimmerlee.
The following activities are prohibited on BLM administered public land where the restrictions are in effect:
-Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
-Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
-Operating a chainsaw without a U.S. Department of Agriculture or Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
-Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.
BLM Wyoming
There are also year round fire restrictions in effect on all BLM Wyoming administered land. Prohibitions include:
-Discharging or using any fireworks.
-Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
-Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium or any other hazardous or explosive material.
-Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).
-Use/discharge of explosives of any kind, incendiary devices, pyrotechnic devices, or exploding targets.
BLM Wyoming
“It is important we all do our part to prevent unnecessary risks of wildfire starts,” BLM Wyoming said. “Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs for suppressing the fire.”
“For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire or contact Zimmerlee at 307-921-2381.”
