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SHOSHONE, Idaho-- As the threat of wildfire danger continues to increase, state and federal land management agencies willimplement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on lands within south central Idaho effective August 3, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place on federal, state and private forest and rangelands, roads, and trails, situated in Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, and Twin Falls counties.

These restrictions are being implemented by agencies managing or providing wildland fire protection, which include the Sawtooth National Forest, Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).  These restrictions are separated into Zones and described as follows:

Zone 1 – Sawtooth North

All Sawtooth National Forest, Twin Falls District BLM, and Idaho State lands north of Highway 20 to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary.  From Hill City east to the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Reserve Visitor Center.

Zone 2 -- Shoshone 

All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands north of I-84 to Highway 20. From King Hill east to Massacre Rocks State Park.

Zone 3 -- Three Creek

All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands from I-84 south to Idaho/Nevada border. West of Highway 93 to the Bruneau Canyon

Zone 4 – Cassia

All Twin Falls District BLM and Idaho State lands from I-84/I-86 south to Idaho/Utah/Nevada border. East of Highway 93 to the Cassia County/Oneida County line. All lands administered by the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest.

**National Park Service managed units including Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Minidoka National Historic Site are also under Stage 1 Fire restrictions

Under the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on state and federally managed or protected lands, roads, and trails:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site and in a permanent concrete or metal fire ring, or on private land, and only within an owner-provided structure.
• 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:

• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.  Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
• 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.
• All land within a city boundary is exempted.
• Other exemptions unique to each agency.

Fire managers are asking the public to be extra cautious when spending time in the outdoors.  As a reminder, fireworks are prohibited on state and private forestland and rangeland during closed fire season (May 10 through Oct. 20), and on public lands, roads and trail in Idaho all times of the year. 

Controlled burning restrictions may be in place due to air quality through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Information about DEQ burn bans is available here: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/smoke-and-burning/can-i-burn/. The IDL fire safety burn permit is required during closed fire season, and local burn permits may be as well. To obtain permits for controlled burning activities, visit: http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov

For more information about Stage 1 fire restrictions and to view an interactive map, visit http://www.idahofireinfo.com/

With the fire season well underway, these restrictions are intended to keep visitors to public lands safe as well as prevent dangerous and damaging wildfires. If you are planning a visit to public lands in these areas, please check with the Sawtooth Ranger District offices https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth, the BLM Twin Falls District BLM https://www.blm.gov/idaho or the Idaho Department of Lands for the latest information.