Bighorn National Forest to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions

Sheridan, Wyo. (July 27, 2016) – Forest supervisor Bill Bass has signed a special order to establish Stage 1 fire restrictions in the Bighorn National Forest. The restrictions become effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2016.Stage 1 fire restrictions include these regulations.• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire is prohibited, including barbecues and grills. However, fires are allowed in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites. Portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum and pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stoves with a ¼-inch spark arrester type screen are permitted.• Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials.• Chainsaws must have a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in working order. Chainsaw operators must have readily available a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and a round point shovel at least 35 inches long.• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame must be in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter and the operator must have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A.• The use of explosives.Some exemptions are allowed, for example persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited acts and official firefighters.Fire danger in the Bighorn National Forest is very high. Conditions are such that fires will start easily, spread rapidly and quickly increase in intensity and size. Restrictions will remain in effect until forest conditions change and the fire danger rating is reduced.The special order is available on the Bighorn’s website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/. For more information about restrictions and forest conditions call the Medicine Wheel Ranger District in Greybull at 307.765.4435, the Powder River Ranger District in Buffalo at 307.684.7806, or the Tongue Ranger District in Sheridan at 307.674.2600.