Statewide, Idaho –Another fire season is approaching and BLM Idaho is asking for your help to prevent human-caused fires. Acting BLM Idaho State Director Peter Ditton recently signed the 2018 Fire Prevention Order, which prohibits specific fire-related activities on public land from May 10 to Oct. 20. The Fire Prevention Order makes it illegal to burn explosive materials or use fireworks, exploding targets, or tracer ammunition on BLM-managed lands in Idaho.

“The goal of the annual fire prevention order is to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires,” said Ditton, “The BLM appreciates your efforts to protect our public lands, one of our nation’s greatest treasures.”

Any person who knowingly and willfully performs any act restricted by the Fire Prevention Order could be subject to a fine and held responsible for fire suppression and/or rehabilitation costs.

Additionally, the BLM is promoting a fire education campaign that encourages the public to take proactive measures when target shooting. The campaign “Shoot Responsibly – Idaho” aims to remind everyone of the simple steps to remember when target shooting. For instance, avoid shooting on hot, dry and windy days or shooting into rocks or metal objects and place targets in areas free of vegetation. Taking these simple measures can lessen the chances of causing a wildfire.

Historically, fewer than half of all wildfires in Idaho are caused by humans. However, almost 60 percent of BLM fires in Idaho in 2017 were human-caused, and a majority of those were shooting-related.

To read the BLM Idaho 2018 Fire Prevention Order, or for the most recent information concerning wildfires, fire restrictions, and fire prevention and education, can be found on the interagency Idaho Fire Info webpage, http://www.idahofireinfo.com/.