Fireworks still illegal in the Sierra Front

Mother Nature doesn’t require a pyrotechnic permit or certification for her light shows, but people absolutely do.

Fireworks have been prohibited in Douglas County since 1938.

“Hot weather and dry conditions continue to raise concern about fire danger as we prepare for the Fourth of July weekend ahead,” Douglas County officials said. “Please be aware of the fire restrictions where you are celebrating. The goal of the Sheriff’s Office is to protect life and property while at the same time allow celebrants to enthusiastically celebrate the July 4th holiday. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes safety first when enjoying the holiday weekend.”

Possession, sale, trade, exchange or especially discharge of fireworks is a violation of county code. To report or ask questions about fireworks, call 782-5126, unless there’s a fire. Then call 911.

There is an exception for licensed pyrotechnicians to conduct fireworks shows at Stateline scheduled July 3 and 4.

Due to drying vegetation, increasing daytime temperatures and several human-caused fires state and federal agencies are implementing fire restrictions on all lands under their jurisdiction effective Wednesday.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is implementing Stage I Fire Restrictions, as are the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Nevada Agency, Bureau of Reclamation California - Great Basin, Nevada Division of Forestry, Public Domain Allotments, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

State and federal land managers implement or increase fire restrictions based on several factors including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of firefighting resources.

Due to the current conditions, there is a likelihood of a fire exhibiting extreme behavior and posing containment problems for firefighters. As such, fire restrictions are necessary to reduce the risk of human-caused fires, in turn enhancing public safety and preserving firefighting forces for longer and more extreme fire seasons.

“With much of California and Nevada experiencing record drought, fire danger is significantly elevated,” said Acting Forest Fire Management Officer Jeremy Kiesling. “We are implementing these restrictions to minimize the risk of human caused wildfires damaging our forests and communities.”

Among the prohibited activities on the Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest under fire restrictions are

• the use of exploding targets or fireworks,

• smoking while walking through the forest.

• welding or operating a torch with open flame

• operating a chainsaw between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

• building a fire outside of a developed recreation site fire pit

“The public is the first line of defense in preventing wildfires,” officials said. “Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fire management and firefighters thank you for recreating responsibly and using extra precaution to prevent wildfires.”