Public lands now under Stage 1 fire restrictions

With the hot, dry conditions and very high fire danger throughout southwest and central Idaho, local wildland fire protection agencies will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, effective Thursday, Aug. 1, beginning at 12:01 a.m.

The identified areas include private and agency lands protected by the Boise, Payette, and Sawtooth National Forests;, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Forest Protection Districts, Southern Idaho Timber Protection Association, and specific Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Offices.

Areas affected

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions include the areas listed below:

* All private, state, and BLM protected lands outside incorporated city limits within Elmore, Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Washington counties, and portions of Idaho, Adams, Valley, Custer, Elmore, Camas and Blaine counties;

* All Boise National Forest lands within Elmore, Boise, Gem and Ada counties, and a portion of Valley County;

* All Sawtooth National Forest lands within Elmore and Camas counties, and portions of Blaine and Custer counties;

* All Payette National Forest lands (excluding the Frank Church Wilderness area) within Adams, Washington and portions of Idaho and Valley Counties.

For a detailed map and information, visit: http://www.idahofireinfo.blm.gov/southwest/firerestrictions.htm.

In Elmore County, a ban on controlled burns is already in effect.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. The restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas.

Prohibited activities

Under State 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on the restricted state and federally managed lands, roads and trails:

* Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, stove fire except within an agency designated recreation site and only within an agency provided structure, or on a private citizen's own land and only within an owner-provided permanent 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.

Exceptions

Following are the significant exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

* Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

* Persons using fire solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used 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 law, fire or EMS officer in the performance of an official duty.