Game and Parks lifts temporary campfire ban

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has lifted its ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas.

Game and Parks also lifted its ban on prescribed burns.

This follows the State of Nebraska’s decision to rescind its burn ban after recent rains and higher humidity levels across much of the state. Some Nebraska parks and counties may have local, individual burn bans in place. Guests should call the park they are visiting prior to arrival to confirm local ban status. Find contact information for each park at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

A temporary ban on campfires and prescribed burns was put in place March 13 in response to wildfires arising from dry conditions persisting across much of Nebraska.

Portions of Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area and Open Fields and Waters tracts in the recent wildfire zones remain closed.

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

• Restrict driving to established roads and trails.
• Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.
• Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.
• Ensure your vehicle, trailers, and other equipment are well-maintained.
• Make sure no chains are dragging from your vehicle.
• In the morning, before driving and while the exhaust/catalytic converter system is cool, inspect it to see no debris is clinging to it.
• Fully extinguish any campfire before leaving it unattended.
• Driving vehicles or parking on dry, tall grass is a primary threat. Grass can ignite within seconds of contacting a hot surface, such as a vehicle’s exhaust/catalytic converter systems. Campers and hunters should carry a shovel, bucket, and a fire extinguisher in their vehicle or camper to put out unintended flames.

Editor’s note: Updated to reflect local fire bans may exist in some locations and to remind visitors portions of publicly accessible lands in the wildfire zones remain closed.