Officials urge caution during Wildfire Prevention Week

State leaders are trying to help the public understand the seriousness of wildfires during Idaho’s annual Wildfire Prevention Week.

Fire officials predicted a normal, but longer-than-usual fire season thanks to moisture helping the grass to grow, and warm temperatures earlier this year.

Fire-fighting vehicles sat idle Tuesday afternoon, waiting for the next call.

“Even those activities such as wiener roasts or marshmallows or S’mores, those are things (in which) we’re having fun, but if we get just a bit careless, they could change our holiday,” said Lynn Ballard, information officer for the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center.

Ballard said everyone can help soften the blow of fire season with a few simple reminders for prevention week.

“We need to be careful as we enjoy our public lands, that we do things correctly,” said Ballard.

Ballard said the mufflers on ATVs or motorcycles can produce sparks. Even train tracks or a car with a flat tire on the side of a road can be a hazard.

“The tire goes down, the rim’s against the pavement,” said Ballard. “You get a lot of spark.”

Then there’s fireworks, and of course, campfires.

“You want to make sure you make it manageable,” said Kevin Stock, a Helitack crew member with the U.S. Forest Service.

Stock said if campers can’t use an established fire ring, they should make their own by digging six inches down and lining up rocks around it, while keeping it away from any dry vegetation.

Stock said ten percent of wildfires are human-caused, and mostly due to campfires.

“If we drove away from this right now, with the wind conditions, and a sunny day, this could definitely cause something to go,” said Stock.

Ballard said a 20 person hand crew was still taking care of hotspots at the Lava fire west of Shelley that started on Sunday.

As part of Wildfire Prevention Week, several local entities are hosting daily events about safety.