Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and predicted hot and dry weather, the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, plan to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, beginning Tuesday, July 30 at 1:00 a.m. Restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have improved sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:
- Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
- A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
- A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
- A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
36 CFR § 261.52(a)
- 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. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). For chainsaw use a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) must be kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR § 261.52(h), (j)
- Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(i)
- Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition. 36 CFR § 261.52(b)
Exemptions to restrictions include the following:
- Persons with a Forest Service Permit specifically exempting them from restrictions or a written determination by a Forest Service officer that a permit is not required.
- Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to State, Federal, or Tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.
- Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
- Persons using a stove fire in a designated area.
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
Fire Restrictions will apply to all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the NNFG with the exception of designated developed recreation sites. Fires are only allowed in metal fire rings and/or metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites. For further information, persons can call the Pine Ridge Ranger District at 308-432-0300; the Fall River Ranger District at 605-745-4107 or the Wall Ranger District at 605-279-2126.
It is important to note that all the Black Hills National Forest and the Ft. Pierre Ranger District of the NNFG remain in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions year-round.