Fire restrictions remain in place in Southern Nevada.

Possession and use of all fireworks (including safe and sane) is prohibited on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed public land in Southern Nevada.  A fire prevention patrol in high fire danger areas will take place leading up to the Fourth of July holiday. On May 14, fire restrictions went into effect on public lands managed by BLM.  In addition to fireworks, fire restrictions include:

  • building and/or using a campfire or charcoal stove (using portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel OK)
  • welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames (except by permit)
  • using any explosive (except by permit)
  • using fireworks or firing a tracer
  • operating an off-road vehicle without a spark arrestor
  • steel jacket ammunition and explosive targets prohibited as they are known fire starters

Violations can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and a year in jail as well as the costs associated with resource damage, suppression costs, and injuries if found guilty.
So far this year, 25 human caused fires have occurred on BLM managed public lands in Southern Nevada.
Interagency fire restrictions prohibit:

  • building and/or using a campfire or charcoal stove (using portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel OK)
  • welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames (except by permit)
  • using any explosive (except by permit)
  • using fireworks or firing a tracer
  • operating an off-road vehicle without a spark arrestor

Agency specific exceptions and additional restrictions are also in place:

  • Bureau of Land Management – steel jacket ammunition and explosive targets prohibited as they are known fire starters. Smoking is allowed in an enclosed vehicle only.
  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area – wood or charcoal fires allowed in grills of developed picnic areas; wood or charcoal burning devices allowed on the shoreline where natural vegetation is at least 100 feet from the shoreline; barbecue grills allowed on private boats outside the harbors of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave; rental boats are authorized to use barbecues attached to vessel if allowed under rental boat agreement; all vessel barbecue fires must be at least 100 feet away from shoreline vegetation. Smoking is allowed outside of an enclosed vehicle in areas that are cleared of all flammable material for at least three feet.  Cigarettes must be discarded in a car ashtray or an ashtray in a developed area.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – campfires allowed in fire rings at Desert Pass Campground on Desert National Wildlife Refuge; grills in day use area of Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge may be used.
  • U.S. Forest Service – campfires allowed in developed recreation sites; private property owners allowed approved cooking or heating devices in Mt. Charleston Area. Smoking is allowed outside of an enclosed vehicle in areas that are cleared of all flammable material for at least three feet.

The public is urged to contact the local U.S. Forest Service office at (702) 515-5400, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (702) 515-5450, National Park Service at (702) 293-8990, Bureau of Land Management at (702) 515-5000 or Nevada Division of Forestry at (702) 486-5123 if they have any questions or need clarification on the restrictions.