Fire restrictions extended for southern Idaho as blazes continue
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SHOSHONE -— Officials have announced fire restrictions in southern Idaho as the heat and dry conditions continue to stoke fires.
Stage 1 fire restrictions, which have been in place on National Forest System lands in the Cassia Fire Restrictions Zone since July 1, will extend to include all National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and State lands, as well as private forest and rangelands on Friday, according to a news release from the South Idaho Interagency Dispatch.
The purpose of the restrictions is to reduce the potential for human-caused ignitions. Restrictions will apply to the following South Idaho Fire Restrictions zones:
- Sawtooth North Fire Restrictions Zone: All Sawtooth National Forest, BLM Twin Falls District, and Idaho State Lands north of U.S. Highway 20 to the northernmost Sawtooth National Forest boundary. From Hill City east to the Craters of the Moon National Park Visitors Center.
- Three Creek Fire Restrictions Zone: All BLM Twin Falls District and Idaho State lands south of I-84 south to the Idaho/Nevada border, west of U.S. Highway 93 to the Bruneau Canyon.
- Shoshone Fire Restrictions Zone: All BLM Twin Falls District and Idaho State lands north of I-84 to Highway 20, from King Hill east to Massacre Rocks State Park.
- Cassia Fire Restrictions Zone: All BLM Twin Falls District, Idaho State lands and Sawtooth National Forest lands from I-84/I-86 south of Idaho/Utah/Nevada border, east of Highway 93 to the Cassia County/Onieda County line.
Under Stage 1 fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:
- Building or maintaining a wood-, charcoal- or briquette-fueled fire outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service or BLM has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Visitors outside these designated sites may use a stove or grill equipped with a shut-off valve and fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas.
“Stoves or grills of this type can only be used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device,” says the release.
Officials say additional restrictions may be necessary in the future. However, if conditions moderate, agencies will consider lifting restrictions earlier.
Violations of these restrictions could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time.
For additional information on fire restrictions, visit the fire restrictions website here.
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