Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Ordered for South Central Idaho

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News Release

DATE: August 8, 2017

CONTACT:
Sharla Arledge (Idaho Department of Lands)- 208-334-0286
Kelsey Brizendine (Bureau of Land Management)- 208-732-7315
Julie Thomas (Sawtooth National Forest)-208-737-3200

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions ordered for south central Idaho

SHOSHONE, ID- As the threat of wildfire danger continues to increase, state and federal land management agencies will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on lands within south central Idaho effective August 14, 2017 at midnight. Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place on federal, state and private forest- and rangelands, roads, and trails, situated in Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, and Twin Falls counties – with the exception of forest service lands in Cassia and Twin Falls counties.

These restrictions are being implemented by agencies managing or providing wildland fire protection, which include the Sawtooth National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). These restrictions are separated into Zones and described as follows:

Zone 1 – Sawtooth North
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 Park Visitor Center.

Zone 2- Shoshone
All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands north of I-84 to Highway 20. From King Hill east to Massacre Rocks State Park.

Zone 3- Three Creek
All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands from I-84 south to Idaho/Nevada border. West of Highway 93 to the Bruneau Canyon

Zone 4 – Cassia
All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands from I-84/I-86 south to Idaho/Utah/Nevada border. East of Highway 93 to the Cassia County/Oneida County line.

Under the 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.

The following are exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire 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 the fire season well underway, these restrictions are intended to keep visitors to public lands safe as well as prevent dangerous and damaging wildfires. If you are planning a visit to public lands in these areas, please check with the Sawtooth Ranger District offices  https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth , the BLM Twin Falls District BLM www.blm.gov/idaho or the  Idaho Department of Lands  for the latest information or visit  www.idahofireinfo.com .