Stage One fire restrictions ordered

Stage One Fire Restrictions have been ordered for 16 eastern Idaho counties beginning at 12:01 a.m. on August 14. The Bureau of Land Management and Caribou-Targhee National Forest said the restriction is a precaution to the expected influx of people for the solar eclipse on August 21. But, they said it is also in response to increasing fire danger, which has led to several large wildfire incidents. The restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove except within a designated recreation site and only within a fire structure provided by the agency. They also prohibit smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

The restrictions include all BLM and Forest lands in Bannock, Bingham, Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power, and Teton Counties. Violation of the order is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months (Title 18 USC 1856, Title 43 USC 1701, Title 43 9212.4, and/ or appropriate State Laws). Violation of the above-prohibited acts on Caribou-Targhee National Forest lands is punishable by fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual, or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than 6 months (16 USC 551, 18 USC 3571(b)(6), 3581(b)(7)).