Fire prevention during hunting season

Cabela’s hosted the BLM at their big game event today to talk about fire prevention when out at elk camp.

Jesse Bender, Fire Information Specialist,”We are getting to the time of year where lightning isn’t a major cause of our fires any longer, and we transition to a point where the majority of our fires are human caused.”

That’s why cabela’s invited the BLM to their big game event, to teach hunter’s what they should do to prevent wild fires.

Jesse Bender, “a lot of those come in the form of hunter fires. Folks go out in the woods and get wet or cold, and they start a little warming fire in the middle of the day, and sort of feel complacent or secure in leaving it. They don’t extinguish it all the way.”

Kasey Snell, Cabela’s Retail Marketing Manager, “we are a huge supporter of our conservation groups. So we bring a lot of conservation groups and and organizations in and help educate the public.”

With human caused fires, humans need to learn fire prevention methods.

Jesse Bender, “make sure your fire is completely extinguished.”

The BLM says it’s important to teach good fire habits young.

Jesse Bender, “we actually have some little coloring books for kids that are specifically fire prevention notes for hunters. It’s a good way to instill it at that young age and hopefully carry on. And also it’s really cool to see kids pick up on these things and tell them to their parents.”

The current south eastern idaho wild fire season has burned nearly 900 acres. An average fire season in the area burns more than 65,000 acres.

Jesse Bender, “we want to keep it this way. We want to continue to remind folks to be vigilant. A fire season like this can easily make people very complacent in their outdoor activities.

The south eastern Idaho wild fire season has been low, but the state as a whole has been struggling. Remember what Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”