BLM officials increase fire restrictions in Eastern Washington

SPOKANE, Wash. - Fire officials from the Spokane District have acted in response to dangerous fire conditions across Eastern Washington. Additional public use restrictions are now in effect on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). These restriction apply to the lands in the following Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties.

“With all the hot and dry weather and fuel moistures at critical levels, most of East Washington is at very high fire danger,” said Whitney Machado, BLM’s Spokane District Fire Management Specialist. “We all must remain vigilant and do our part to help prevent human-caused wildfires to protect the lands, and the people and wildlife that call it home.”

Effective July 10, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., all campfires, or any other type of open fire, including the use of charcoal briquettes, are banned. Discharging firearms is also prohibited, except while engaged in lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal or tribal law and regulations. Please visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.

Additionally, smoking is only authorized in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation. Operating any motorized vehicle, or parking off the road (including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles) is only allowed on roadways clear of any flammable vegetation.

Fireworks are always prohibited on public lands.

Violating public use public use restrictions can result in fines up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. Individuals causing a wildfire can also be held responsible for damages and fire suppression costs.