Cottonwood Field Office
| Contacts: | Suzanne Endsley | , 208-769-5004 |
Fire Restrictions in Effect on BLM Lands in North Central Idaho
The Stage I fire restrictions that went into effect on the morning of Wednesday, August 15 include some lands in Idaho and Adams counties that are managed by BLM’s Cottonwood Field Office. Stage I restrictions prohibit fires, campfires or campstoves in areas other than designated recreation sites with approved fire structures. Stage I also prohibits smoking in open areas except when stopped in sites that are free of flammable materials with a radius of at least 3 feet of barren soil or in developed recreation sites. Restrictions are in effect until further notice.
Rafters along on the Lower Salmon River from the Corn Creek launch site to the confluence of the Snake River may use metal fire pans only within ¼-mile of the river corridor. All ashes must be packed out.
With the fire season well underway, the placement of these restrictions is intended to keep visitors to BLM lands safe as well as prevent the catastrophic effects of wildland fire. If you are planning a visit to BLM lands in North Central Idaho, including a float trip on the Lower Salmon River, please check the BLM Cottonwood Field Office website for the latest information: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/cottonwood.html or call the office at 208-962-3245.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.