ELKO, Nev. – On June 20, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Elko County Fire, Nevada Division of Forestry and USDA Forest Service are implementing fire restrictions in Northeastern Nevada.

Interagency fire restrictions prohibit:

• Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind, except campfires within approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer, or while stopped or standing in a three-foot diameter area barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation.
• Any Hot Work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame or spark-producing operations.

Recommended Actions:

• Keep a shovel, fire extinguisher and/or at least 5 gallons of water on hand in the event of an unintentional fire start.
• Utilize nevadafireinfo.org to obtain information on fire activity and additional restrictions.

BLM – Elko District’s Fire Prevention Order is in effect June 20 through October 31, 2024, unless rescinded earlier. Visit nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions for copies of prevention orders, helpful maps, and more on fire restrictions.

These restriction orders are considered Stage I. Stage II fire restrictions may be implemented later. The Northeastern Nevada Fire Prevention Group works diligently to make fire restrictions easy to understand. Fire restrictions may be different in other areas of Nevada.

Agency specific exceptions and additional restrictions are also in place:

Bureau of Land Management

The following persons are exempt from this order on BLM-managed land.

• Person with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
• Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.

BLM – Nevada Year-Round Fire Restrictions

• Possessing, discharging, using, or allowing the use of fireworks, pyrotechnic or incendiary devices.
• Possessing, discharging, igniting, or causing to burn; explosives or explosive material, including binary explosive targets.
• Discharging a firearm using tracer, incendiary, or steel-component ammunition. [Use of tracer or incendiary ammunition are always prohibited on public lands].  
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devise properly installed, maintained and in effective working order (43 CFR 8343.1(c)).

Elko County Fire

On land under jurisdiction of Elko County Fire Protection District, the following acts are permitted:

• Small fires for religious/ ceremonial purposes, cooking, and warming, provided they don't become a public nuisance. (burn permit suggested)
• Outside the incorporated cities of Carlin, Elko, Wells and West Wendover, burn barrels are allowed. Burn barrels should be covered with metal mesh, have adequate spacing from vegetation, water on site, hand tool, and supervised by an adult.
• Agriculture fires – agriculture fires are allowed, but not recommended during fire season. Burn permits are recommended and notifications to local fire agencies.
• Open burning, and pile burning will be closed in June and not opened until a significant wetting event in the Fall.

Nevada Division of Forestry

In Nevada State Parks, park staff may or may not allow campfires on a day-to-day basis based on current local weather conditions. During Red Flag Warning issuances or other weather events, park staff may post signage stating that campfires are not allowed.

USDA Forest Service

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

• Campfires are only allowed within the approved fire pits or grills provided in developed recreation sites. A developed recreation site has Forest Service signage that designates it as an agency-owned campground or day use area and is identified on a Forest Service map as a site developed for that purpose.
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. is prohibited during fire restrictions.

See Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fire restrictions for more information.

See Fire Restriction Facts for answers to frequently asked questions.  

Public Contacts

The public is urged to visit nevadafireinfo.org for more information and direct any questions to the following:

• Bureau of Land Management, Elko District Office – (775) 753-0200,
• USDA Forest Service, Elko Office – (775) 738-5171
• Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada State Parks Division Headquarters – (775) 684-2770