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CASPER, Wyo. – Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Rangers are issuing citations for unlawful camp fires on Muddy Mountain, as well as finding multiple unattended fires left by campers. The BLM High Plains District reminds all Public Land Users that there are Stage 1 fire restrictions on all public lands within Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, Sheridan, and Weston Counties.  

“While we have had occasional rain showers, even some that have provided substantial moisture, these systems are scattered and have not significantly reduced high fire danger we are facing here in Wyoming,” said Craig Short, High Plains District Fire Management Officer. “Recent moisture is helping grasses and other highly flammable materials continue to grow, when they dry out we are left with a tall and dense fuel that can burn and spread quickly. A fire in a places like Muddy Mountain or Casper Mountain can be devastating. We need everyone to be following current and any future restrictions.”

Under Stage 1 fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited:

• 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 USDA or SAE 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 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.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, which 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.

It is important we all do our part to prevent unnecessary risks of wildfire this includes ensuring that all legal fires in campgrounds are fully out and cold to the touch. Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires can also face restitution costs for suppressing the fire.

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, visit www.blm.gov/Wyoming-Fire-Restrictions.

-BLM-