Sawtooth National Forest enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

JEROME, Idaho - The Sawtooth National Forest and Idaho Department of Lands will initiate Stage 1 fire restrictions within the National Forest System lands boundaries on the Sawtooth and Cassia zones effective 12:01 a.m. July 17.

The purpose of the restrictions is to reduce the potential for human-caused ignitions.

“Our fire danger rating right now is Very High, and, with the abnormally dry, hot conditions and record low fuel moisture levels we’re seeing, we project it will soon be Extreme,” said Sawtooth National Forest Fire Management Officer Andrew Addey. “Nationally, demand for firefighting resources, equipment, and aviation assets is higher than normal, which also limits our ability to order resources for any new fires that may start.”

The Bureau of Land Management will not be implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions at this time. Conditions on lands managed by the BLM have not met the criteria laid out in the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan.

The Sawtooth Zone encompasses lands north of Highway 20 to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary situated in Blaine, Camas, and portions of Custer, Elmore, and Boise counties. The Cassia Zone encompasses lands south of interstate highways 84 and 86 to the Idaho/Utah/Nevada border, east of Highway 93 to the Cassia County/Onieda County line. A map detailing where restrictions will be implemented is posted to the Sawtooth National Forest’s Alerts & Closures page.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will apply to all National Forest System lands administered by all districts on the Sawtooth National Forest as well as all state, state endowment, and private land in the North Sawtooth Restrictions Zone that lie within the boundary of the Sawtooth National Forest.

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

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.
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.

Under these restrictions, campfires are allowed only in recreation sites within metal or concrete fire pits. Fires of any kind are not allowed in any dispersed camping areas.

The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant change in fire danger. If conditions moderate, the Forest will consider lifting restrictions earlier.

The maximum penalty for violating a fire restriction order may differ depending on the agency. For the USDA Forest Service, the maximum penalty for violating the restriction order is $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations and/or six months imprisonment.

For additional information on fire restrictions, visit the fire restrictions websites at www.idahofireinfo.com or https://www.idl.idaho.gov/restrictions

For additional information, call the Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 208-423-7500, the Fairfield Ranger District at 208-764-3202, the Ketchum Ranger District at 208-622-5371, the Minidoka Ranger District at 208-678-0430, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters at 208-727-5000, or the Stanley Ranger Station at 208-774-3000.