ROCK SPRINGS — Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, the BLM Wyoming High Desert District in Pinedale, Kemmerer, Rock Springs and Rawlins implemented fire restrictions for all BLM-administered lands within Unita, Lincoln, Sublette, Fremont, Teton and Sweetwater counties on July 7. 

Under stage 1 fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited: 

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester-type screen, within fully enclosed grills or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas. 
• Smoking, except while in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter and barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 
• Operating a chainsaw without a U.S. Department of Agriculture- or Society of Automotive Engineers-approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of at least 8 ounces capacity by weight and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. 
• Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of at least 8 ounces capacity. 

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, which include: 

• Discharging or using any fireworks. 
• Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition. 
• Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium or any other hazardous or explosive material. 
• Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c). 
• Using or discharging any kind of explosives, incendiary devices, pyrotechnic devices or exploding targets. 

The following persons are exempt from fire restrictions: 

• Persons with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act. 
• Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

It is important we all do our part to prevent unnecessary risks of wildfire starts. Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs for suppressing the fire. 

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, visit www.blm.gov/Wyoming-Fire-Restrictions.