National Forest and National Grasslands across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming are under fire restrictions until May 31st.
Prohibitions include: Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building is also prohibited under the order.
National Forest and National Grasslands in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma have fire restrictions in place until June 30.
Beginning April 22, igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire will be prohibited on all six national forests in Arizona until June 30.
All of these closures are being implemented due to COVID-19 related public safety restrictions. In the Southwest Region’s news release announcing the restrictions, they said:
“Forest Service officials are taking the necessary steps to ensure first responders are available to safely respond and manage incidents. This campfire restriction will prevent the drawdown of fire and medical resources to unwanted human-caused wildfires and reduce firefighter exposure to COVID-19 during the current pandemic.”
Check with your local land agencies before heading out. To find the National Forest or National Grassland info near you, visit the US Forest Service website.