BLM Casper Field Office Moves from Full to Partial Fire Restrictions
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Due to recent moisture and subsiding fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management is removing the full fire restrictions that were put into place in late July for Natrona, Converse, Platte and Goshen counties.
Camp fires are now allowed in developed recreation sites on BLM administered lands within the affected counties beginning September 16, 2016. Partial restrictions are still in effect.
Under these orders the following acts are prohibited:
- 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 one quarter inch 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 USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight 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 eight ounces capacity.
Certain County Fire Restrictions may still apply for fires off of BLM administered lands, and visitors are encouraged to check the following website before going afield. https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/wsfd-fire-information/fire-restrictions-map
As a reminder the following wildfire prevention restrictions are prohibited year-round on BLM-administered Lands in Wyoming:
- Discharging or use of 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 $1,000, 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.
For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, contact your local BLM office or go to www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.