No burn permits being issued, campfires restricted, and more
With
the threat of wildfire danger increasing rapidly
throughout many parts of northern and central
Idaho, local land management agencies
implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which
officially began at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2015.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will remain in effect
until further notice. Fire restrictions are
intended to decrease the chance of any
preventable fires in the designated areas.In Bonner and Boundary Counties, the restrictions will be in effect at all lands below 3,000 foot elevation.
Under the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on the restricted state and Federally managed or protected lands, roads and trails:
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided structure.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Conditions in the area are bad enough that burn permits are no longer being issued. "At this time, no permits for any type of burning are being approved due to current and forecasted fire weather and forest fuels conditions. Certain types of agricultural burning may be approved on a case by case basis," said Ken Homik of the Idaho Department of Lands, who serves as Fire Warden for the Kootenai Valley Forest Protective District.
There are limited exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which include:
• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
• Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
• All land within a city boundary is exempted.
• Other exemptions unique to each agency.
With the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and the extreme temperatures the Region is experiencing, fire managers are asking the public to be extra cautious when spending time in the outdoors. Idahoans are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited on forest and range lands in Idaho during closed fire season (May 10 through October 20).
Please visit http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com for current information regarding fire restrictions or contact the local land management office.