Memorial Day weekend is a great time to celebrate Wyoming public lands with friends and family. While out, please remember that preventable wildfires threaten lives, property, and precious resources every year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, firefighters are needed more than ever to keep America safe, so please, do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires.
“Our firefighters are working very hard with all of our partners around the state to be prepared for fire season. With so many places to enjoy in Wyoming please be careful to prevent wildfires this Memorial Day weekend and though the summer,” said Richard Putnam, BLM Wyoming Assistant State Fire Management Officer.
Be aware of local public safety area closures and take precautions before venturing out, be careful with anything that could start a fire. Here are some ways to enjoy the holiday and help keep families and our public lands safe:
- Enjoy a family picnic at a scenic overlook.
- Take a hike to a favorite shady spot or creek.
- Go for a bike ride on a designated trail.
- Enjoy a colorful sunrise or sunset.
Currently, no special restrictions are in effect on BLM land, however, year-round restrictions remain in place. Those restrictions include not using or discharging fireworks, not discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition, not burning, igniting, or causing any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous explosive material to burn. Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands is also not allowed unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester.
Some additional things to remember this holiday weekend to prevent wildfires:
- If towing a boat or trailer, ensure your safety chains are properly secure and not dragging on the ground.
- Never park your vehicle over dead grass and avoid driving through tall grass—your vehicle can ignite the fuels and start a fire.
- When camping on public lands, never leave your campfire unattended. Ensure your campfire is “dead” out before leaving or turning in for the night. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- If target shooting, please take all the proper precautionary measures to be fire-safe—select an area that is free of flammable materials and bring a fire extinguisher or water to extinguish any flames. Exploding targets and tracer ammunition is prohibited for use on all public lands in Wyoming per the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions.
For the most up to date fire conditions and restrictions, visit BLM Wyoming’s web page at https://www.blm.gov/programs/