JEROME, Idaho — As Idaho's fire season continues, the threat of wildfires and their danger continues to increase.
With this threat, state and federal land management agencies are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on lands in south central Idaho. These restrictions will go into effect August 20, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and are "intended to decrease the change of any preventable fires in the designated areas," a Forest Service representative said in a press release.
Specifically, these Stage 1 restrictions will be in place in Blaine, Camas and Custer counties on federal, state and private forest and rangelands, roads and trails, which are implemented by agencies which include the Sawtooth National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District and the Idaho Department of Lands.
These restrictions are separated into zones and are described as follows:
Zone 1 - Sawtooth North
According to the Forest Service, "All Sawtooth National Forest, Twin Falls District BLM, and Idaho State lands north of Highway 20 to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary. From Hill City east to the Craters of the Moon National Monument Park Visitor Center."
According to the press release, under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions the following acts are prohibited on 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 and in a permanent concrete or metal fire ring, or on private 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.
According to the press release, the following are exemptions to the restrictions:
- Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
- Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (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 Idaho's fire season continuing, the Forest Service says these restrictions are intended to keep visitors to public lands safe as well as to prevent wildfires. If you are planning on visiting any public lands in theses areas, contact the Sawtooth Ranger District offices, the BLM Twin Falls District BLM, or the Idaho Department of Lands for the latest information, or visit Idaho Fire Info.
