ATTENTION!

DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS ARE IN EFFECT FOR SHELDON AND HART MOUNTAIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

FIRES, STOVES, SMOKING, other BURNING and EQUIPMENT:

  • PERMITTED: Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires or charcoal fires is only allowed in Virgin Valley Campground on Sheldon NWR.
  • PROHIBITED: Wood stoves, smoker fires, and portable braziers are prohibited on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.
  • PERMITTED: Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters, and generators with an approved spark arrestor within an area at least 10 feet in diameter and barren of all flammable material.  
  • PROHIBITED: Smoking outside, except in areas barren of all flammable materials at least 6 feet in diameter, or in a vehicle.
  • PROHIBITED: Power saw operations. 
  • PROHIBITED: Welding equipment, including acetylene or open flame torches. 
  • Spark arresting devices must be properly installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.

 MOTORIZED VEHICLES:

  • Due to extreme fire danger, select roads on Sheldon and Hart Mountain Refuges may be closed due to hazardous conditions.  Vehicles are permitted only on roads where flammable vegetation and debris does not come in contact with the vehicle undercarriage.
  • Vehicles are prohibited on roads marked as closed and on roads in which flammable vegetation or debris may contact the vehicle undercarriage. Be aware of Road Closed signs and Avoid Hazardous Road Conditions such as those shown below:
On road barrier, the image is up close to a sign stating "Road Closed". In the background is a sage step with portions burned from wildfire.
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  • Vehicles may only drive on roads in which vegetation does not contact the vehicle undercarriage.
Dirt road free of tall vegetation or debris
Image Details
  • Vehicles must be parked in an area barren of flammable material, including  vegetation (this includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.)
  • All motorized vehicles must carry the following equipment:
    • A shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than eight inches wide;
    • one water container of at least one gallon in size filled to capacity or a 2.5 pound fully charged fire extinguisher;
    • Axe or Pulaski Pulaski
      The Pulaski is a special hand tool used in wildland firefighting. The tool combines an axe and an adze in one head, similar to that of the cutter mattock, with a rigid handle of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The Pulaski is a versatile tool for constructing firebreaks, as it can be used to both dig soil and chop wood.

      Learn more about Pulaski       with a handle at least 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than two pounds.
  • It is prohibited to operate any type of motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle not equipped with an approved and fully-functioning spark arrestor. 

ROAD CONDITIONS 

All roads within Sheldon NWR are not maintained in the winter, with the exception of Highway 140. Exercise extreme caution when attempting to use 8A, 34A, or any other road within Sheldon NWR during the winter as they become impassable and are not maintained. Check with Nevada 511 (nvroads.com) for current conditions on Highway 140 through Sheldon NWR. 

  • Virgin Valley Road, 34A, and 8A are passable.

  • Virgin Valley Campground is open to first come, first serve.

Road conditions are subject to change quickly due to weather. Please be well informed and well equipped for backcountry travel. Check current state road conditions here: Oregon road conditions; Nevada road conditions

Use caution as roads may be marked open yet road conditions can change quicky and become inaccessible.  Refuge roads can become hazardous and impassable due to storm events, drifting snow, or wet and muddy conditions. Expect little to no cell service in the Refuge and help could be hours away. Be prepared and carry a shovel, fire extinguisher, tire chains, warm layers such as blankets or a sleeping bag, first aid kit, emergency food, and at least one extra gallon per person of water in your vehicle.

Prevent the spread of Invasive Species: Remove debris, mud, and vegetation from bottom of vehicles before traveling into the Refuge to prevent invasive weeds from spreading.