Washington — Official Release: Bureau of Land Management officials have restricted certain activities on public lands to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires in these Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties. With summer approaching and temperatures rising, dry and flashy fuels become increasingly susceptible to ignition. Fire restrictions help keep the public and first responders safe.
“Know Before You Go and be prepared before visiting your public lands this summer,” said Lonnie Newton, Fire Management Officer for the BLM Spokane District. “Pack a shovel and fire extinguisher and follow BLM’s fire restriction orders to help prevent fires.”
Visitors can stay up-to-date on fire restrictions by visiting https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. With 85% of wild fires being human caused, everyone has a role to play in protecting their communities and reducing the number of fires.
The public use restrictions go into effect June 13 and include a few small steps to prevent fires:
- Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and other designated locations.
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire. Exception: Campfires (including charcoal briquette fire) within provided steel rings at certain improved campgrounds will be deemed legal. Contact local BLM Offices for guidance.
- Operating any type of motorized vehicle off developed roadways. Parking vehicles off roadways must be done in an area barren of flammable materials.
- Fireworks are prohibited on BLM public lands, along with exploding targets, metal targets, and firing tracer or incendiary devices.
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