The B.L.M. is enacting fire protections on its lands in several Wyoming counties to avoid potential human-caused wildfires during an increasingly dry summer.
Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will begin June 30 on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management Wind River/Bighorn Basin District’s Cody, Lander, and Worland field offices. These restrictions cover a significant portion of Wyoming.
These restrictions cover all B.L.M. lands in Big Horn, Carbon, Fremont, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, Sweetwater, and Washakie counties.
Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on current and projected weather conditions, the amount of dry vegetation, and other risk factors.
“These fire restrictions are a result of our continued coordinated relationships with our fellow wildfire cooperators throughout the area,” said BLM Fire Management Officer Brent Meisinger.
The B.L.M. joins Shoshone National Forest and Bighorn National Forest, which implemented fire restrictions earlier in June 2021.
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, several objects and activities are prohibited unless specific conditions are met.
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Igniting, building, attending, maintaining, or using a fire
- This restriction includes fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grates that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas.)
- The use of a stove or grill solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels, or a fully enclosed metal stove, grill, or sheepherder type stove with a chimney at least 5 feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of ¼ inch, or less is permitted.
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Smoking
- Except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or in a developed recreation site, or while stopping in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
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Operating a chainsaw
- To do so, you’ll need an effective and properly installed U.S.D.A., or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
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Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame
- To do so, you’ll need a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter. In addition, keeping a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) with the operator is needed for this activity.
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Explosives
- This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
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Personal, portable wood or charcoal-burning fire pits/rings
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- Campfires are only allowed in U.S.D.A.-approved and installed fire pits/grates or gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch.
These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming.
The B.L.M. has stringent rules regarding fireworks and ammunition. Regardless of any fire danger, the following activities and objects are banned on all B.L.M. lands year-round.
- 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.
For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, visit www.blm.gov/wyoming-fire-restrictions or contact Brent Meisinger at 307-347-5188.
