Campfires across Southern Nevada are getting a hard reset starting Friday, May 29, when Stage 1 fire restrictions kick in across public lands. The order tightens rules on campfires, smoking and other spark-prone activities in areas managed by multiple local, state and federal agencies, and it will stay in place until officials decide conditions are safe enough to lift it. Fire managers say the goal is simple: cut down on preventable, human-caused ignitions as the region heads into a hot, dry recreation season.
The interagency order applies to land within Clark County and parts of Nye County, covering areas overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, as reported by KSNV. Shane Kelly, a fire prevention specialist, told KSNV that "Last year in Southern Nevada, over 90% of fires on public lands were caused by humans" and urged people to take basic precautions such as keeping vehicles maintained so they do not throw sparks and skipping target shooting on hot, windy days.
Under Stage 1, building, maintaining or using a fire, including wood or charcoal campfires, is prohibited except by permit or inside a developed fee campground or picnic area. Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles or buildings, or to outdoor spots that are cleared at least three feet of any flammable material. The rules also bar parking or driving vehicles on dried vegetation and prohibit open-flame welding or grinding, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
What visitors need to know
Portable stoves that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed under the restrictions, but campers and boaters are urged to double-check site-level rules before lighting anything. Current maps showing where the fire restrictions apply, along with agency contact information, are posted at NevadaFireInfo.org.
Local response and enforcement
Agencies on the ground are already shifting into fire-prep mode. NV Energy crews are carrying out mitigation work on Mount Charleston while Stage 1 restrictions are in place, and fire agencies say interagency patrols will pay special attention to popular recreation access points, according to KTNV. Officials say penalties or citations are possible for people who ignore the rules, and the restrictions will remain in force until conditions improve.
Before heading out, officials suggest a quick mental checklist: keep vehicles tuned so hot exhaust or dragging parts do not throw sparks; completely extinguish or pack out all fuel and coals; avoid shooting or target practice in dry, windy conditions; and review restriction maps and agency pages before any trip. For statewide guidance and additional links, visit the Nevada Division of Forestry.
