United States Department of Agriculture

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor’s Office 1200 Franklin St. Sparks, NV 89431 (775) 331-6444 http://www.fs.usda.gov/htnf/ News Release

Erica Hupp Naaman Horn o: (775) 355-5311 o: (702) 515-5413 c: (775) 771-4777 c: (702) 659-2586 [email protected] [email protected]

What You Need to Know if Recreating on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Over Fourth of July Weekend

Sparks, NV., July 1, 2020 – The Fourth of July is one of America’s great landmark holidays, celebrating our nation's independence. It is also a perfect time to enjoy National Forest System (NFS) lands. Visitors are encouraged to stay safe during the holiday weekend by adhering to all local, state and federal guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and following all fire restrictions, including not possessing and using fireworks.

“We are expecting a record number of people to be out enjoying the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend,” said Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor Cheva Gabor. “The Forest Service’s highest priorities are ensuring the safety of the public and our employees, and preventing human-caused wildfires.”

While most campgrounds, group campsites and day use areas that hold less than 50 people are open, Forest officials want to remind the public that offices, visitor centers, and California group campsites are still closed. Due to the evolving situation related to the Mahogany Fire on the National Recreation Area near , visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6811/ for updated fire and closure information.

Virtual services are available to purchase passes, maps, etc., while all Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest offices remain closed to the public. Here is a list of services available online:

• Annual or Lifetime Federal Recreation Pass, including all Senior Passes (https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes) • Forest Maps o USGS Store (https://store.usgs.gov/filter- products?categories=%5B216%5D&page=1) o Avenza (Mobile Devices) (http://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/) o Forest Service Virtual Interactive Maps (https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/) • Please call the Ranger District directly for details on how to obtain firewood cutting or other permits. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/about-forest/offices) • Forest Service Merchandise Offered Through Partner Organizations o Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association. (https://esiaonline.org/shop-online) o Go Mt. Charleston. (https://www.gomtcharleston.com/shop/)

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While the Bridgeport Ranger District office remains closed to the public, the District is still issuing Hoover Wilderness walk-in permits. Hikers interested in obtaining one of these permits must stop by the office (75694 US-395, Bridgeport, California) and add their name to a sign-up sheet outside the front office window. They can return to their car and staff will call them to handle transactions over the phone. Recreational passes, fuelwood permits, campfire permits, and maps can also be purchased this same way.

Hoover Wilderness Permits reserved online through Recreation.gov will be emailed to hikers by Forest Service staff at the Bridgeport Ranger Station. These should be printed prior to the trip and kept in the possession of the trip leader. For more information on the Hoover Wilderness permits, visit www.recreation.gov or https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/passes-permits/?cid=fseprd673368.

Due to high-fire danger, fire restrictions are in place on the Humboldt-Toiaybe National Forest. For up-to-date information on Forest fire restrictions, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts- notices. To find out what other fire restrictions are in place on public lands in Nevada, visit https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures. In California, please check with the agency that manages the land.

The use or possession of fireworks on public lands is prohibited and subject to confiscation and fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held civilly and criminally liable. For information regarding how to prevent wildfires when recreating in the Forest, please visit nevadafireinfo.org

“Setting off fireworks in the Forest is not only illegal, it is also a hazardous activity that can lead to injury and wildfires," said Gabor. "We want visitors to come out and enjoy their public lands but leave the fireworks at home."

For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.

-USDA-

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s spectacular 6.3 million acres make it the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. Located in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California, the Forest offers year-round recreation of all types.

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