By Chadron Volunteer Fire Department
Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and predicted hot and dry weather, the Nebraska National Forests & Oglala National Grasslands, entered Stage 1 Fire Restrictions overnight until further notice. Stage I fire restrictions prohibit igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
Smoking is prohibited, 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.
Also prohibited is operating any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. For chainsaw use a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher must be kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches must be readily available for use.
Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher is kept with the operator.
Using an explosive is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition. For further information, contact the Pine Ridge Ranger District at 308-432-0300