BLM Imposes Fire Restrictions For Central, Northeast Wyoming
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has imposed partial fire restrictions on its public lands for much of central and northeastern Wyoming because of dry conditions and high fire danger beginning Friday, according to news releases.
The new restrictions are for Natrona, Converse, Platte, Goshen, Sheridan, Johnson and Campbell counties.
Last week, the BLM imposed fire restrictions on the Thunder Basin National Grassland in Campbell, Converse, Crook, Niobrara and Weston Counties.
The BLM is working with the counties and other area land management agencies to coordinate fire restrictions.
The bureau intends the restrictions to protect public health and safety due to the current and anticipated elevated risk of wildfire; recent hot, dry, red-flag weather conditions; and dry fuels.
The following acts are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire with these exceptions: within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, within fully enclosed grills or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
- Smoking with these exceptions: 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 USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working. Operators must have a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round-point shovel at least three feet long.
- Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame with these exceptions: in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight.
These partial fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming:
- Discharge or use of any fireworks.
- Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
- Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
- Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester.
Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
The violator also will be responsible for paying for total suppression and damage costs.
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The BLM offers fire rings on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- Muddy Mountain in the Lodge Pole and Rim campgrounds.
- On the North Platte River at Pet’s Draw, Golden Current, Chalk Bluffs and Buffaloberry campgrounds.
- In the South Bighorns at Buffalo Creek and Graves Springs campground.