Fire restrictions lifted in most public lands in Nevada
CARSON CITY — The changing of the seasons, cooler temperatures and a little bit of rain means an end to fire restrictions on most public lands in Nevada.
State and federal agencies on Friday announced the lifting of restrictions beginning this weekend after a hot, dry summer that made fire danger extreme.
In Southern Nevada, fire managers lifted the seasonal restrictions Friday, with some exceptions in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Campfires remain prohibited until Nov. 15 within 1 mile of homes in Kyle and Lee canyons, Deer Creek, Cold Creek and the communities of Trout Canyon and Mountain Springs. Signs are posted in those area to remind the public.
Fire restrictions on public lands in northwestern Nevada expire Saturday, but officials said campfires still require a permit on the Carson and Bridgeport ranger districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Nevada was lucky during the summer fire season this year compared with other states. As of late September, about 500 fires burned around 42,000 acres. That's down from the 59,000 acres burned in 2014. In 2013, 163,000 acres burned, including nearly 30,000 acres of the Mount Charleston area northwest of Las Vegas.
By comparison, nearly 1.9 million acres burned in Nevada in 1999, a record year for wildfires.
Though the risk of wildfire has diminished, public land managers urge caution when venturing outdoors.
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb.
