Humboldt-Toiyabe issues fire restrictions for Carson and Bridgeport districts

In response to the current and growing risk of wildfire, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts implemented Stage I Fire Restrictions through Halloween.

“When fire season goes into effect, some activities in the great outdoors are prone to start fires,” foresters said.

Due to the current conditions, a fire is likely to exhibit extreme behavior and pose containment problems for firefighters. As such, fire restrictions are necessary to reduce the risk of human-caused fires and work-related activities.

“Despite record snowfall this winter, recent hot and dry conditions have significantly elevated the fire danger these past few weeks,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Gwen Sanchez. “By implementing these restrictions, we are attempting to minimize and/or stop altogether the risk of human-caused wildfires damaging our public lands and communities.”

Stage I Fire Restrictions prohibit the following on Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lands:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire outside of 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. These areas have approved fire pits and may have water and/or other facilities provided. It is not a dispersed site, or an area that has simply been improved by other campers. Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, campfires are not allowed in any area outside of developed recreation sites. Portable stoves, fire pits, or grills that use wood or charcoal are also prohibited in both dispersed and developed areas under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Portable stoves or fires that use gas, liquid fuel, etc., are allowed on all forest lands, provided they have a contained fuel source and an on/off switch. Additionally, California campfire permits are required for campfires in developed sites and for the use of any portable stove, regardless of fire restriction level, in the state of California.

Smoking, outside an enclosed vehicle or building. Exception: smoking while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.

Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Using an explosive. Please remember, fireworks and exploding targets are never permitted on public lands.

Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. It is always prohibited to operate or use any internal or external combustion engine without an approved USDA spark arrestor that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.

Please obey all fire restrictions. Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in criminal and/or civil penalties, including up to $5,000 in fines and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held civilly and criminally liable.

The public is the first line of defense in preventing wildfires. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fire management and firefighters thank you for recreating responsibly and using extra precaution to prevent wildfires.

For more information regarding fire restrictions on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit https://bit.ly/HTNFFireRestrictions or https://bit.ly/FireRestrictionsFAQs for answers to frequently asked questions.