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Fire Restrictions
Fire Restrictions come in different stages and become more prohibitive with each stage. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest begins by implementing a Stage 1 Restriction and if conditions worsen, Stage 2 is implemented. There is no"Stage 3" when conditions worsen further. Instead, a forest closure is usually the next step which means the public is not allowed to enter the boundaries of the national forest due to the danger. To learn more, check out these frequently asked questions!
To find out what fire restrictions are in place in Nevada, visit Nevada Fire Info.
Current Fire Restrictions
Order No. |
Title |
Effective Date |
Active
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
01/08/2024
|
Until Rescinded
|
||
|
06/08/2024
|
Until Rescinded
|
||
| Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge RD: Stage 1 Restrictions |
Fire Restriction Stages Explained
National Forests use fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Implementation of fire restrictions occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions includes things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, and available firefighting resources.
There are different stages of fire restrictions, which become more restrictive as the stages progress from Stage 1 to Stage 3. The following is a general explanation of the restrictions in each stage...
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
During Stage 1, the following is prohibited:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stovefire outside of developed recreation sites.
- Campfires are not allowed in any area outside of developed recreationsites. Portable stoves, fire pits, or grills that use wood or charcoal are also prohibited in both dispersed and developed areas under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Portable stoves or fires that use gas, liquid fuel, etc., are allowed on all forest lands, provided they have a contained fuel source and an on/off switch. Additionally, California campfire permits are required for campfires in developed sites and for the use of any portable stove, regardless of fire restriction level, in the state of California.
2. Smoking, outside an enclosed vehicle or building.
- Exemption: Smoking while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
4. Using an explosive.
- Fireworks and exploding targets are never permitted on public lands.
5. Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. (See Firewood Cutting Permit)
- Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. It is always prohibited to operate or use any internal or external combustion engine without an approved USDA spark arrestor that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
During Stage 2, the following is prohibited:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stovefire on forest lands.
- Campfires are prohibited on all Humboldt-ToiyabeNational Forest lands, including developed recreation sites, campgrounds, and day use areas. This includes twig stoves commonly used by hikers, portable wood/charcoal fire pits, and stoves. Portable stoves with contained fuel sources (propane, jellied petroleum, etc.) and an on/off switch are allowed. Additionally, California campfire permits are required for the use of any portable stove, regardless of fire restriction level, in the state of California.
2. Smoking, outside an enclosed vehicle or building.
- Exemption: Smoking while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
4. Using an explosive.
- Fireworks and exploding targets are never permitted on public lands.
5. Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. (See Firewood Cutting Permit)
- Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. It is always prohibited to operate or use any internal or external combustion engine without an approved USDA spark arrestor that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
6. Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation.
- Exemption: Parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, overnight parking in Forest Service developed campgrounds and at trailheads.
Stage 3 - Forest Closure
During Stage 3, or "Forest Closure," public entry is prohibited due to the extreme fire danger. At times, National Forests may close specific geographic areas, or the entire forest. Wherever a closure is implemented, the public cannot enter any National Forest lands, roads, or trails.
Fire Restrictions Definitions
- Area - A discrete, specifically delineated space that is smaller, and in most cases much smaller, than a Ranger District.
- Campfire - A fire, not within any building, mobile home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle, which is used for cooking, branding, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or esthetic purposes.
- Stove Fire - A campfire built inside an enclosed stove or grill, a portable brazier, or a pressurized liquid or gas stove including a space heating device.
- Devloped Recreation Site - An area which has been improved or developed for recreation. (A developed recreation site is signed as an agency-owned campground or picnic area and identified on a Forest Service map as a site developed for that purpose).
- Forest Road or Trail - A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources.
- Permit - Authorization in writing by a forest officer.
What is National Fire Danger Ratings Levels
The National Fire Danger Rating Level allows fire managers to estimate fire danger for a given area. Knowledge of these levels can help forest visitors make decisions about whether or not to have a campfire or park their vehicle in a grassy area. Learn More!
How to Protect National Forest System Lands
Fire prevention is a proactive method of taking precautions to avoid potential catastrophic wildfires. The goal of our prevention program is to educate the public on their roles and responsibilities to help decrease the number of human ignitions. Learn More!
Fire Information Resources
For fire information and wildfire updates in Nevada and a portion of eastern California.