BLM Issues Fire Restrictions for Campbell, Sheridan Counties

Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management is placing stage 1 fire restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Campbell and Sheridan counties beginning July 9. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

Under Stage 1 fire restrictions, it is prohibited on BLM land to build, maintain, attend or use a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrestor type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas. Smoking is prohibited, 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.

It is prohibited to operate a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor 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. It is also prohibited to use a welder, either arc or gas, or operate an acetylene or other torch with an 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. Stage 1 restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming.