Fire managers lifting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Jerome, Idaho – The Sawtooth National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District, and Idaho Department of Lands will lift Stage One Fire Restrictions effective 11:59 p.m. Thursday. 

The restrictions went into effect Aug. 1, when fire danger and burning conditions were unusually high. However, based on recent weather changes, conditions no longer meet criteria set out in the Idaho State Fire Restrictions Plan.

Restrictions will be lifted for all lands north of U.S. Route 20 from Hill City east to the Craters of the Moon National Monument Park Visitor Center to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary. Restrictions will also be lifted on National Forest System lands within the boundaries of the Minidoka Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest.

Lifting the restrictions means the public is free to build a campfire, use a charcoal barbecue, or smoke outside of designated campgrounds and recreation sites. 

However, fire managers would like to remind the public that wildfires can be prevented year-round by following a few simple tips:
•    Never leave a campfire unattended.
•    Always keep water, dirt, and a shovel near a fire.
•    Make sure your fire is dead out and cold to the touch before leaving it.
•    Never use fireworks, exploding targets, or tracer rounds on or near public land.

For additional information on preventing wildland fires, visit the following webpages:
•    https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/fire/prevention,
•    https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/fire-prevention, and 
•    https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/prevent-and-prepare/.