Stage 1 fire restrictions begin in northeast Nevada

• Counties: Elko County and northern portions of Eureka and Lander counties.
• Agencies: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs; Elko, Lander, and Eureka County.

Stage 1 restrictions are in effect in northeast Nevada June 12 – October 31, 2026, unless rescinded earlier. 

The public can reduce wildfire risk by:

• Avoiding activities that generate sparks, such as dragging chains or recreational shooting during hot, windy conditions.
• Staying alert to dry vegetation and fire weather.
• Keeping fire suppression tools—like a shovel, extinguisher, and at least five gallons of water—on hand.

Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (wood, charcoal, or any other material), campfire, or stove fire*.
  • Except by permit or when in a developed fee campground or picnic area.
  • *Following stoves permitted: portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
• 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 vehicles 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).

Penalties for Violations

Jurisdictions and their specific restrictions

Bureau of Land Management

Elko District

• Possessing, discharging, using, or allowing the use of fireworks, pyrotechnic or incendiary devices.
• Possessing, discharging, igniting, or causing explosives or explosive material to burn, including binary explosive targets.
• Discharging a firearm using tracer, incendiary, or steel-component ammunition.  
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a properly installed and maintained spark arresting devise in effective working order.

U.S. Forest Service

Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District at Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

• Campfires are only allowed within the approved fire pits or grills provided in 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.
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited between 1 PM – 1 AM.
• Outdoor smoking is only authorized while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.

Nevada Division of Forestry

Starting June 12, 2026, the following acts are prohibited at all state lands, Nevada State Parks and Recreation Areas including, but not limited to, South Fork, Wildhorse, Cave Lake, and Warch Charcoal Ovens State Parks.

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material) outside of developed campgrounds, picnic or designated areas where fire rings and other approved fire enclosures are provided and accessible. Portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or area cleared of flammable vegetation.
• Welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.
• Using, or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.
• Discharge, use, or allowing the use of fireworks, tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition, explosive targets, or any other incendiary device.
• Operating a motor vehicle or combustion engine equipment without a spark arrestor anywhere other than on existing paved, gravel or dirt roads.
• Operating a vehicle or other motorized equipment in wildland areas without an ax, shovel and at least one gallon of water.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

• Fire is prohibited.

Elko County 

Elko County Fire Protection District

• Effective July 1, Elko County will implement an open burn ban and encourages precautions on privately owned lands in alignment with BLM restrictions.
• Outside the incorporated cities of Carlin, Elko, Wells, and West Wendover, the use of burn barrels is permitted under specific safety conditions. Burn barrels must be equipped with a metal mesh cover, placed a safe distance from vegetation, have a water source readily available, a hand tool nearby, and always supervised by an adult.

Lander County & Eureka County

• Effective July 1, both counties will implement an open burn ban and encourage precautions on privately owned lands in alignment with BLM restrictions.
   

Media Contacts

• Bureau of Land Management – [email protected]

• Nevada Division of Forestry – Cynara Medina, (775) 684-2502, [email protected]
   

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