Game and Parks enforces temporary campfire ban

The Nebraska Game and Parks is implementing a temporary ban on campfires, effective immediately, at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas.

First responders are stretched thin in many areas of the state as they react to fires where dry conditions and high winds persist. Many agencies, including Game and Parks, have been assisting.

Game and Parks also is temporarily halting prescribed burns.

At state park areas and WMAs, camp stoves using liquid or gas fuel are permitted as they reduce the likelihood of ash or hot charcoal being discarded before they are extinguished. These types of stoves also do not produce blowing embers, further reducing wildfire potential.

Prohibited sources of open fires include:

• All campfires
• Transportable wood-fueled firepits with grills or mesh metal covers
• Wood-burning stoves
• Charcoal grills
• Fire pans

Permitted sources are devices solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned off; these may include:

• Propane or butane camp stoves
• Canister camp stoves
• Propane grills
• Propane fireboxes and firepits
• Other burners fueled by liquid gas, such as gasoline or kerosene

Those wishing to use their Dutch ovens to cook should do so over propane or electric heat sources.

Those using permitted camp stoves, grills or firepits should never leave them unattended and always use them on a level area clear of flammable materials.

Out of the abundance of caution, campers and hunters should carry a shovel, bucket and fire extinguisher in their vehicle or camper to put out unintended flames.

State park area and WMA guests also are encouraged to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of wildfire:

• Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.
• Avoid activities that could create sparks.
• Restrict driving to established roads and trails.
• Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.
• Make sure no chains or metal parts or objects are hanging or dragging from your vehicle or towed trailer.
• In the morning, before driving and while the exhaust/catalytic converter system is cool, inspect it to see no debris is clinging to it.