The U.S. Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office is implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all BLM-administered lands within Carbon County beginning today, according to a news release.

These restrictions limit activities that pose high risk of igniting fire in areas with critical fire danger.

Fire managers make decisions about fire restrictions based on current and projected weather conditions, amount of dry vegetation and other risk factors.

In Carbon County, the BLM will begin enforcing temporary restrictions of:

  • 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 quarter-inch 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 in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Operating a chainsaw without a USDA- or SAE-approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher at least eight ounces capacity by weight, and one round-point shovel at least three feet long
  • Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas at least 10 feet in diameter, with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of at least eight ounces capacity.

These restrictions are in addition to year-round restrictions about fireworks and other wildfire prevention measures on BLM, National Forest and National Park Service lands.

Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires also will pay for putting them out.

For more information about fire rules and restrictions on federal lands and local areas, visit the BLM's website.

Local BLM field offices are open Monday through Friday between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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