Fire restrictions take effect in districts of national forest

The U.S. Forest Service has announced fire restrictions in the Carson and Bridgeport ranger districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in western Nevada and eastern California.

The restrictions go into effect today and will last until further notice.

Officials say tinder-dry vegetation, drought conditions and increasing daytime temperatures necessitate the restrictions to try to prevent fires.

The order prohibits campfires outside developed campgrounds or picnic areas, smoking outside such areas or vehicles, welding, charcoal grills, open burning and the use of tracer rounds and steel-core ammunition while recreational shooting.

The BLM and Nevada Division of Forestry imposed similar public land restrictions late last month.