BLM reminds about 4th of July Wildfire Safety and Fire Restrictions
by Bureau of Land Management
July 2, 2016
With the 4th of July holiday, warmer and drier temperatures and increased outdoor recreation, the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management, our good friend Smokey Bear, and our wildland firefighters would like to remind everyone to be safe and responsible when enjoying public lands.
So far this year BLM fire resources have responded to approximately 20 human caused fires. These fires can be started by a number of things such as campfires, motorized equipment, power lines and vehicles. We need your help this holiday to prevent human caused wildfires and keep Wyoming beautiful.
Fireworks and other explosives are prohibited on BLM managed lands. Visitors should also take precautions when recreating outdoors such as having a shovel and water on hand to extinguish campfires, avoid parking in tall dry grass and driving OHVs in areas where dry grass can be ignited by hot exhaust. When camping and using outdoor grills make sure you clear areas of flammable vegetation. Check trailers to make sure equipment is in working order and chains are not dragging.
Check your local fire restrictions to ensure you know what is and is not allowed where you are visiting. The BLM Wyoming fire restrictions website is located at www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions.
The BLM Wyoming actively investigates human caused fires and anyone who intentionally or through negligence starts a wildfire can be held accountable for damage and suppression cost.
To report wildfires, contact your local fire department, sheriff’s office or fire dispatch center by calling 911. For more information about the BLM Wyoming’s fire preparedness, please contact Public Information Specialist Brad Purdy at 307-286-2200 or Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Carmen Thomason at 307-775-6020.
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