Notice of Regulated Fire Closure for Bureau of Land Management Public Lands in the State of Washington

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District, Interior.

SUMMARY:

This fire closure, pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 9212.2, prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire, stove fire, or charcoal fire on all BLM lands, including dispersed areas and all unimproved campgrounds. However, campfires are permissible in designated and improved campgrounds with steel fire rings, such as those at Coffeepot, Pacific Lake, and Twin Lakes. Liquified and bottled gas stoves and heaters are also allowed, provided they are within designated campground or picnic areas. This remains in effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. July 22, 2004 until further notice.

Specific prohibited actions include:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire (43 CFR 9212.2).

Note:

Liquified and bottled gas stoves and heaters are permitted provided that they are within an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or clear of all flammable material.

• Smoking while traveling in timber, brush or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads, on barren or cleared areas at least 3 feet in diameter or boats on rivers and lakes.
• Operating any type of motorized vehicle off developed roadways. Parking of vehicles off roadways must be done in an area barren of flammable materials [43 CFR 9212.2(b)(1)].

Note:

Developed roadways are those that are clear of flammable debris, berm to berm. Juniper Dunes Recreation Area is Exempt.

Pursuant to 43 CFR 9212.3(a), the following persons are exempt from this order:

• Persons with a permit that specifically authorized the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
• Any federal, state or local officer or a member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Boyd, Fire Management Officer, Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District Office, 1103 N. Fancher Road, Spokane, Washington, 99212; or call (509) 536-1200.