Open Fires Prohibited on Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming

Open Fires Prohibited on Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming

 Custer, SD —Acting Forest Supervisor Jim Zornes has signed an order prohibiting use of open fire on all National Forest System lands administered by the Black Hills National Forest within the State of Wyoming. The order is effective immediately and shall be in effect until rescinded or until December 31, 2016 whichever occurs first.

The order prohibits:

1.      Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, barbecue, grill or stove fire is prohibited.  The exception to this allows use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.

2. Smoking, 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.

3. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

4. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A. 

5. Using explosives.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from specified Prohibitions of this order: 

1)      Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5.

2)      Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5

“Drought conditions persist in the area creating very high to extreme fire conditions. This order is necessary for the protection of public safety, public and private property, and the natural resources within the Black Hills National Forest in the state of Wyoming,” said Steve Kozel, Bearlodge District Ranger.

The Black Hills National Forest has a volatile wildfire profile due to the ponderosa pine fuel type and unique weather thus fire prevention is important. Conditions are expected to persist throughout the summer creating high potential for large fire development causing public safety and natural resource concerns.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills or call (605) 673-9200.