Burn ban starts early: Bannock County moves up burn ban deadline

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — In the face of heightened fire conditions, Bannock County officials are moving the annual burn ban up by a full month. The ban on all controlled burns and open fires will now take effect on June 1st.

The decision comes as a precaution ahead of the upcoming wildfire season. In April, eastern Idaho fire officials warned about a busy upcoming wildfire season driven by an extremely dry winter and changing weather patterns.

RELATED: Southeast Idaho fire crews prep for dry, potentially busy wildfire season

In mid-April, fire crews battled the Snake Fire, which burned nearly 100 acres along the Snake River in Madison and Jefferson counties. In addition, the Idaho Department of Water Resources declared a drought emergency for all 44 counties in Idaho due to a record-low snowpack, elevating concern among local fire officials.

Tuesday, Bannock County authorities announced in a post on Facebook that all controlled burns and open fires will be prohibited throughout the county starting June 1st.

In a Facebook post, Bannock County authorities advised residents to clear excess fuels from their properties ahead of the upcoming ban.

"If you live in a Wildland-Urban Interface area, now is the time to clear fire fuels from your property," states the post.

If you need to conduct a controlled burn before the June 1 deadline, contact your local fire district today:

• Arimo - 208-201-3590
• Chubbuck - 208-237-3212
• Downey - 208-897-5342
• Fort Hall Fire - 208-478-3784
• Inkom - 208-775-3372
• Lava - 208-776-5366
• McCammon - 208-254-3200
• North Bannock Fire - 208-252-5048
• Pocatello City - 208-234-6201
• Pocatello Valley Fire - 208-221-3582