The U.S. Forest Service has imposed tougher fire restrictions for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands because of extremely dry and hot conditions and the threat of wildfires.
The Forest Service says the entire area is under what the service calls Stage II Fire Restriction Orders. That includes no campfires, no explosives, no welding and no smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
The order covers the Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and the Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre and Oglala National Grasslands, which have been under lighter restrictions since late March.
The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands are situated in central and western Nebraska and western South Dakota. The area is made up of two national forests, three national grasslands and a tree nursery.
