BLM urges protection of public lands from fires

Spokane, WA –The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane District is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive. Because of this the district has issued a fire restrictions order on public lands administered by the BLM in eastern Washington. The order is effective July 17, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. in the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima.

Caution is advised at all times when operating motor vehicles on roads or trails with vegetation or high grasses, and due to fire hazard risk the public is asked not to bring fireworks or exploding targets onto public lands at any time. The public is also asked to ensure that any campfires are completely extinguished and cold before departure from a camping area.

Target shooting with the use of exploding targets (including Tannerite) is prohibited. Target shooters who start wildfires may be responsible for the cost of fire suppression. Wildfires caused by recreational target shooting in dry grasses have steadily increased on the Spokane District over the last few years. The easiest ways to prevent these fires from starting is to ensure your target area (at least 20 feet around the target) is free of dry vegetation, minimize the use of ammunition containing steel and avoid shooting under hot, dry and windy conditions.