The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has placed partial fire restrictions on the lands it manages in Weston, Crook and Niobrara counties due to dry conditions and high fire danger, according to a news release from the BLM's Casper Field Office.

Beginning Saturday, 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 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 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.

These restrictions are in addition to these year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming:

  • Discharge or use of any fireworks.
  • Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
  • Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
  • Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester.

Violating this fire prevention order is punishable by a fine up to $100,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

Those who violate the order also will pay restitution for putting out the fire and damages.

For more information about fire restrictions or conditions, visit the BLM's website.

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