Land Management Agencies to Implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Central Idaho

McCall, Idaho - With the threat of wildfire danger increasing rapidly, land management agencies within the Payette Fire Restrictions Area will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, and will remain in effect until October 1, 2024, unless rescinded earlier by the jurisdictional agencies.  

These restrictions are being implemented by agencies managing state, private and public lands in the area, including the Bureau of Lands Management’s Cottonwood Field Office, Idaho Department of Lands, Payette National Forest and Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (SITPA).  Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the risk of any human caused wildfires in the designated areas.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be in effect within the Payette Fire Restriction Area (other areas within the state are either in or not in fire restrictions now).  This area includes the Payette National Forest (excluding the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness), Idaho state and State Endowment Lands, the BLM Cottonwood Field Office, and private lands within central Idaho.  For a detailed map of the Payette Fire Restriction Area visit: Fire Restrictions Finder - Department of Lands (idaho.gov)

The BLM Boise Field office within the Snake/Weiser River Fire Restrictions Area is not implementing fires restrictions at this time.

With the high potential for wildfires to burn throughout central Idaho, fire managers ask the public to be extra cautious when spending time in the outdoors.  Idahoans are also reminded that the use of fireworks is prohibited on all forest lands and range lands in Idaho during closed fire season (May 10 through October 20).  The use of fireworks is never permitted on Federal lands.

Fire, fuels and weather conditions as they relate to fire restrictions will continue to be monitored – based on these conditions, restrictions can be rescinded, or additional restrictions issued if conditions warrant.  The land management agencies would like to thank the public for their attention to wildfires in Idaho so far this season and ask for their help in preventing any future unwanted wildfire with drying fuels and hotter temperatures expected to continue into this fall.

Please visit Fire Restrictions Finder - Department of Lands (idaho.gov) for current information regarding fire restrictions or contact the local land management office.

Under the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on the restricted state, private and federal lands:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within a permanent landowner-provided structure.  (See liquid petroleum fueled stove exemption below).
• 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 - An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
• Persons using stove fires with a chimney of at least five (5) feet in length and employing a spark arrester with a maximum mesh screen opening of ¼ inch.
• Persons using metal fire pans (a metal fire pan with sides at least three inches high and at least 12 inches x 12 inches wide, with a metal grate on top.)  Visitors must elevate fire pans off the ground to prevent scorching of the soil. If the fire pan does not have legs to elevate it, rocks must be placed underneath the corners of the fire pan. All ash must be removed and carried out of the river corridor in a sealed container or durable bag.
• The Salmon River from the Corn Creek launch site to Vinegar Creek.
• The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to the City of Lewiston.
• Private landowners using charcoal (disposed of properly) or propane barbecues on their own lands.
• 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.

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