Fire Restriction at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Monday, May 15, 2006

Date: May 12, 2006
Contact: Roxanne Dey, [phone]

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is implementing fire restrictions on Monday, May 15, 2006. Due to the abundant growth of grass and brush from the 2005 winter/spring rains, a high fire danger still exists. This vegetation has grown, and is now dried out with the heat of the season, producing fuel for wildland fires. This dangerous combination of above-average amounts of fuel, mixed with dry conditions, increases the likelihood of fires caused by lightning and by visitors. The good news for visitors this summer season is fires will be allowed in campsites or picnic areas with fire rings and or/grills, and on vessels outside the harbors and at least 100-feet away from shoreline vegetation.

• No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire with any wood or charcoal burning device outside of an approved campsite or picnic area with fire rings and grills. Stoves, fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels are allowed. Campfires with wood or charcoal will also be allowed on the shoreline where natural vegetation is at least 100 feet from the shoreline. Shoreline campfires will not be allowed in areas posted "No Camping" or in developed areas near marinas. Barbecues on vessels are allowed to be used as long as the boats are outside the harbors and 100-feet away from shoreline vegetation.
• No smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren of vegetation and/or cleared of all other flammable material.
• THE USE OF FIREWORKS IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This includes "safe and sane" fireworks.

Violation of this High Fire Danger Closure Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

This restriction does not apply to the Grand Canyon/Parashant National Monument. When conditions warrant, restrictions for the monument will be announced in conjunction with the Arizona Strip Office of the Bureau of Land Management.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park Service.