Elko fire restrictions announced 2023

On July 25th, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management, Elko County Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are implementing fire restrictions in Elko County Nevada.

Elko District Bureau of Land Management, fire restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (using wood, charcoal, or any other material), campfire, or stove fire, except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel outside of a developed fee campground or picnic area (except by permit).
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or when stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared; of all flammable material.
• Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation.
• Welding, metal grinding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame (except by permit).

Recommended Actions:

• Have 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. The interactive map provides users with accurate information concerning fire restrictions specific to a jurisdictional area or recreational site.

The following persons are exempt from this order:                                                   

• Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
• Private landowners using charcoal (disposed of properly) or propane barbecues on their own lands.
• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
• Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty. 

This Fire Prevention Order is effective 12:01 a.m., on July 25, 2023, and will remain in effect until November 15, 2023, unless rescinded.

Agency-specific exceptions/exemptions and additional restrictions are also in place:

Elko County

• The Elko County Fire Protection District would like to inform all residents of the unincorporated areas of Elko County that open burning is CLOSED effective July 25, 2023.  When conditions change with an increase of precipitation and cooler weather, open vegetation burning will open again. 
• The Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of preparing and maintaining your property with a defensible space of 30 feet or more during wildfire season. Some helpful tips for preparing your home and property can be found at https://www.livingwithfire.com/ 

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.

Bureau of Land Management, Statewide Prevention Order

• 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)).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

• Fires are prohibited on Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge