Madison County joins growing list of eastern Idaho burn bans amid extreme fire danger
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IDAHO FALLS — Extreme heat and dry conditions have prompted numerous counties in eastern Idaho to implement open burning bans or fire restrictions, and Madison County is the latest to jump on the bandwagon.
In a Tuesday morning news release, Madison Fire Department, in conjunction with the county commissioners, declared a temporary open fire ban from July 15 to Sept. 30.
“This ban prohibits all forms of open burning and other fire-related activities, including campfires, fireworks, burning debris, and open-flame operations. Residential barbecue grills and enclosed fireplaces are allowed on your own property,” the fire department says.
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The burn ban comes on the heels of the 1,579-acre Maze Fire, which started on July 6 about 7 miles west of Rexburg on U.S. Bureau of Land Management property near Beaver Dick Park and the Unified Sportsmen’s Club shooting range, at 9029 West Idaho Highway 33. The human-caused blaze, which was fully contained the next day, spread quickly and prompted the early evacuation of the gun range. An evacuation order later went into effect for those living on 6000 West north of West Highway 33, and was later lifted.
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Madison Fire Department battled the blaze, along with the BLM and other partnering agencies.
The Maze Fire is one of numerous active wildfires burning throughout eastern Idaho, most of which are small, lightning-caused fires.
As of Tuesday, fire officials report that fire danger remains very high in the area. Madison Fire Chief Corey Child says in Tuesday’s news release that he hopes putting fire restrictions in place will “heighten the public’s awareness of the extreme fire conditions” and “lessen our chances of another large fire in Madison County.”
“We have already seen how the low fuel moisture and low relative humidity support fire ignition and spread,” Child says.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing the burn ban. Those who violate the ordinance will be subject to fines ranging from $100 to $300 per offense. The amount increases for repeat violations. Offenders may also be held financially responsible for all fire suppression costs and any resulting damages.
RELATED | Butte County issues burn ban due to high temperatures and dry weather
Butte County issued a similar burn ban on Monday. Last week, fire restrictions were issued for Bonneville, Jefferson and Fremont counties, bringing the total to five counties with open burning restrictions.
RELATED | Fremont County under burn ban as triple-digit heat looms
After an extreme heat wave over the weekend that resulted in record-breaking temperatures on Sunday and Monday, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Pocatello are forecasting a slight dip in temperatures this week.
“Temperatures will continue above normal for the upcoming week, just not near records,” the weather service posted on its Facebook page Monday. “Showers and thunderstorms will make a return as well as unstable air from the Gulf of California moves northward through Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah to make it into southern Idaho.”
In a Tuesday morning post, the Pocatello bureau reported that while there is a chance of rain, not everyone will see it each day.
“The best chances come with moisture peaking this Fri/Sat,” forecasters say.
RELATED | Crews extinguish lightning-sparked blaze near Bear Lake as record heat grips eastern Idaho
Firefighters are reminding people to make responsible decisions outdoors. Practice good fire safety and don’t do anything illegal that could start a fire.
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