CARSON CITY — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Nevada Division of Forestry’s Sierra Forest Fire Protection District announced last week the lifting of fire restrictions that have been in place since July 24, 2009.

Restrictions expired September 25, 2009.

“Decreasing daily sunlight, increasing fuel moisture levels, and cooler evening temperatures are allowing us to lift fire restrictions,” the agency fire management officers said. “However, wildfire danger remains high because of hot daytime temperatures, and extremely dry valley and mountain vegetation. We encourage the public to continue enjoying their federal, state, and private lands responsibly by being very careful with any fire.”

Campfires still require a campfire permit on the Carson & Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Recreationists need to be fire safe with all their outdoor activities, including insuring that their campfires are dead out. Leaving campfires unattended is a class B misdemeanor. Other important reminders for all outdoor enthusiasts include the following:

• Target practice, riding motorcycles/ATVs without a spark arrester, and careless smoking can all cause unwanted wildland fires.
• The use of propane stoves versus campfires and charcoal grill fires is still preferred in these dry conditions.
• Fireworks are always illegal to possess and use on Nevada’s federal, state, or local lands.
• Open burning on private land still requires a permit from local fire departments.

For more information on this release, please contact the BLM-Carson City Field Office at 775-885-6000; the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest at 775-882-2766; or the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2500.