Land Management Agencies to Implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions (Grangeville)
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GRANGEVILLE, ID – With the threat of wildfire danger increasing rapidly throughout many parts of north central Idaho, local land management agencies will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, Riverbreaks Zone 1 and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area beginning at 12:01 a.m.on August 3, 2018. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
These restrictions are being implemented by agencies managing or providing wildland fire protection to all public and private lands in the area, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the Nez Perce Tribe, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Human-caused starts are the primary cause of wildfires - having nearly ten times the start rate of natural starts. The average 10-year percent U.S. wildfire starts are 88% human-caused and 12% lightning caused. Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any human-caused fires in the designated areas.
Stage I restrictions will be in effect in the following areas: (For a detailed map showing all Idaho Fire Restriction Areas, please visit:http://www.idahofireinfo.com/p
o Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, Riverbreaks: The western boundary predominately follows the Snake River. The northern extent follows the southern edge of the IDL Ponderosa protection area; Hwy 12; the Clearwater/Idaho County line; and Lolo Creek until it meets the western boundary of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests boundary. The western extent continues south along the National Forest property. The southern extent includes a 2-7 mile wide dogleg that buffers Hwy 95 from Slate Creek to Gotzinger. All portions of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area within the State of Idaho.
STAGE I
The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
1. 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 an owner-provided fire structure (a permanent metal or concrete improvement specifically designed for the purpose of containing a campfire, or cooking fire provided by the agency, or landowner with a clearance of ten feet on all sides that is free of any flammable vegetation). [Title 36 CFR 261.52(a)]
2. 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. [Title 36 CFR 261.52(d)]
Exemptions:
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devises, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
3. 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.
4. Persons using metal fire pans* (a metal fire pan with sides at least three inches high with a metal grate on top) within ¼ mile of:
- The Salmon River from the Corn Creek launch site to its mouth at the Snake River.
- The Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
- The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to the City of Lewiston.
*Pack-out of ashes is required.
5. Private landowners using charcoal (disposed of properly) or propane barbecues on their own lands.
6. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
7. Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.
An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.
Please visit http://www.idahofireinfo.com/ for current information regarding fire restrictions or contact the local land management office.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.