BOISE - As the threat of wildfires continues to increase across the region, state and federal land management agencies will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions on all lands in Southwest Idaho starting Friday.
Agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands announced the widespread restrictions on Wednesday.
The restrictions, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, limit certain outdoor activities such as building campfires outside of designated recreation sites. The goal is to decrease the chance of human-caused wildfires.
Officials say the restrictions will remain in effect until further notice on all federal, state, and private forestland and rangeland throughout the Treasure Valley, West Central Mountains and Owyhee Mountains.
Those areas include:
- Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Elmore, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties
- All Bureau of Reclamation lands surrounding Mann Creek Reservoir in Washington County
- All Bureau of Reclamation lands surrounding Lake Cascade in Valley County
- All Bureau of Reclamation lands surrounding Arrowrock and Anderson Ranch reservoirs in Boise and Elmore counties
Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit campfires or stove fires, except within a designated recreation site within a permanent concrete or metal fire ring; 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 fire restrictions do not apply to land within city limits, although municipalities may have their own fire restrictions in place.
As wildfire season ramps up, fire managers are asking the public to be extra cautious when spending time in the outdoors.
For more information about Stage 1 fire restrictions and to view an interactive map, visit www.idahofireinfo.com.
