Fire restrictions in place in parks

Make sure you know the current fire restrictions in national parks and forests.

Yellowstone National Park has implemented temporary fire restrictions, according to a news release:

It is prohibited to have a fire in the backcountry, including established campsites. Campfires are only allowed in authorized fire grates in front country campgrounds, picnic and housing areas. You can use portable stoves or lanterns. Smoking is prohibited in the backcountry and on all trails. It is allowed in the front country only in an enclosed vehicle or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet wide that is barren or cleared of flammable materials. Lighting fireworks is prohibited in Yellowstone.

Partial fire restrictions are in effect for the Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Teton County, Wyo., will implement similar restrictions.

According to a news release from the forest, partial fire restrictions include the following:

Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials (i.e. parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
Operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited .
Welding is prohibited in national parks. For national forest locations, welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is only allowed in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter. A chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A must be at the location.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches , visitors and local residents alike are reminded that fireworks are not permitted in Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest or in Teton County.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or by imprisonment for more than six months.