Wind River/Bighorn Basin District
| Contacts: | Sarah Beckwith | |||
| 307-347-5207 |
BLM Cody, Lander and Worland Issue Fire Restrictions
Effective Tuesday, July 3, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wind River/Bighorn Basin District (WR/BBD) will issue fire restrictions for all public lands administered by the Cody, Lander and Worland field offices.
The restrictions on public lands follow restrictions previously implemented by Big Horn, Carbon, Hot Springs, Natrona and Washakie counties. In addition, fire restrictions went into effect on July 1 for the Shoshone National Forest and on July 2 for the Bighorn National Forest.
“These fire restrictions are a result of our continued coordinated relationships with wildfire managers throughout the Bighorn and Wind River basins,” said WR/BBD Fire Management Officer Chuck Russell.
The only exemption is the temporary, local exception to the fireworks ban on public lands at a gravel pit northwest of Worland from July 3-July 5 to celebrate Independence Day.
Hot, dry conditions and high fire danger have prompted the prohibition of the following activities:
- 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture or Society of Automotive Engineers 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 an 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 of 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).
Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (43 CFR 9212.4 and 18 U.S.C. 3571). Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the violator.
To learn more about fire restrictions and other fire information, please visit www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Fire.html.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Wind River/Bighorn Basin District 101 South 23rd Worland, WY 82401