Campfire and smoking restrictions in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is implementing fire restrictions earlier than usual this year to reduce the number of human-caused fires and reduce firefighter exposure to COVID-19 during the current pandemic. The Humboldt-Toiyabe will enact fire restrictions prohibiting campfires and smoking outside of vehicles starting on April 15 and going until May 31, or until rescinded.

“Our concern regarding escaped campfires is not about dry fuel conditions at this time of year. We want to support a strong fire prevention program, limiting human-caused fires, to keep our firefighters healthy and ready for when we need them in the coming months,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Gwen Sanchez.

Fire restrictions are designed to protect people, property, firefighters and natural resources. While COVID-19 circumstances are rapidly evolving, local, state and federal wildland firefighting agencies are incorporating Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19, while actively assessing potential risks and developing plans to mitigate those risks to first responders.

Fire restrictions prohibit the following:

Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood-burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization and/or imprisonment of not more than 6 months.

Other federal and state cooperators including the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of Forestry are also enacting early fire restrictions and prevention orders. For a comprehensive list of these orders, please visit https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures.

Know Before You Go! For additional information regarding fire restrictions, please contact the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 775-331-6444. Visitors to National Forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.

- Press release from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office.