| Contacts: | Jessica Gardetto, (208) 373-4060 | |||
| Leonard Wehking, (208) 373-3851 |
Fireworks Illegal on all Public Lands in Idaho
Boise, ID- Public lands are a part of the American way of life and are especially popular places to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. But the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reminds those using public lands this holiday that possessing or using fireworks on public lands in Idaho is illegal.
The U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands also prohibit fireworks on the lands they manage.
In May, BLM Idaho State Director Tom Dyer issued a Fire Prevention Order making it a misdemeanor to carry, discharge or otherwise use fireworks on BLM-managed lands. Violations of the Order may bring fines and jail time, and violators who start wildfires can also be liable for the costs of damage and suppression.
Every year, both legal and illegal fireworks account for dozens of wildfires across Idaho. In some western states, all fireworks are illegal year-round.
“We should not have to risk firefighters’ lives in putting out preventable wildfires,” said Idaho BLM State Director Tom Dyer. “For public and firefighter safety and for the health of the land, this Fire Prevention Order makes good sense,” Dyer added.
Fireworks are not the only cause of wildfires on our rangelands, which is why the Order also prohibits incendiary bullets, tracer ammunition, and exploding targets. People often purchase such items from local stores or via the Internet and then use them on public land.
“People need to be aware of what kind of ammunition they are shooting to ensure they are shooting at a safe target in a safe area,” said BLM Idaho State Fire Management Officer Leonard Wehking.
Exploding targets also cause wildfires. Many of the targets are packaged to promote their safe qualities, which can mislead many people since they often send sparks for several feet when they explode. These sparks, when coupled with dry vegetation, can instantly ignite a wildfire.
A normal snowpack and a mild spring have kept fire season in check so far, but increased temperatures will quickly dry out vegetation in Idaho, making it ready to burn. “It only takes a microscopic spark to start a wildfire that will spread quickly,” Wehking said.
Under the Order, the following actions are prohibited on all public lands managed by the BLM within the State of Idaho, unless specifically authorized in writing:
Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, plastic or any other hazardous or explosive material (including exploding targets).
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.