BLM Puts Full Fire Restrictions in Natrona, Converse, Platte, Goshen Counties
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has placed full fire restrictions on its managed lands in Natrona, Converse, Platte and Goshen counties effective immediately due to high fire danger, according to a news release Friday.
Last week, the BLM imposed partial fire restrictions on the four counties.
The BLM, working with the counties, now prohibits these activities:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grills. Allowed fire uses include portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) wood burning stoves (piped) with a quarter-inch spark arrester-type screen.
- 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.
- Discharging fireworks and using explosives.
These restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming:
- Discharging or using any fireworks.
- Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
- Burning, igniting or causing to burn tires, wire, magnesium, or other hazardous or explosive materials.
- Operating any off-road vehicles on public lands unless they have properly installed spark arresters.
These people are exempt from the restrictions:
- Those with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
- Those using a fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels.
- Federal, state or local officers or members of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Those who violate these rules will pay restitution for total suppression and damages.
For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, contact your local BLM office or visit the BLM's website about public safety and fire.