BLM fire ban in effect in Spokane district

A regulated fire closure on lands administered by the Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management will go into effect today, July 22. Whitman County is among 20 counties in the eastern part of the state affected by the closure. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire, is prohibited. Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters are permitted provided they are used within an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Fires within BLM-provided steel rings at improved campgrounds will be deemed legal only at the Yakima River Canyon, Coffeepot, Liberty, Chopaka, Washburn, Pacific Lake and Twin Lakes sites.

Smoking while traveling in timber, brush or grass areas is prohibited except in vehicles on roads or cleared areas at least three feet in diameter or on boats on rivers and/or lakes. Fireworks are prohibited.

Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. For complete details on the restrictions, see the official regulated fire closure order at the BLM website:

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/fire/index.php