BLM Reminds Public Land Visitors to Celebrate Safely During Independence Day Weekend
BILLINGS, Mont. — Independence Day celebrations will soon light up the sky across the nation. The holiday weekend is also a popular time to go hiking, picnicking and camping on our nation’s public lands.
The BLM reminds visitors that fireworks and other types of pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These areas consist of multiple national monuments, recreation areas, campgrounds, undeveloped remote lands and more across Montana and the Dakotas.
“Avoid using fireworks in areas where they aren’t permitted, and always handle them safely. Each year, thousands of preventable wildfires threaten communities, firefighters and public lands,” said Craig Howells, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Northern Rockies Deputy Geographic Area Fire Chief. “We encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and do their part to prevent human‑caused wildfires.”
The BLM also encourages outdoors enthusiasts to “know before you go” by checking current fire restrictions for the county they’re visiting. Depending on the current fire risk and related restriction stage, some types of outdoor cooking gear, and vehicle and campfire use may be limited. Explore fire restrictions information for Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
The BLM expects an increase of visitors during the upcoming holiday weekend. Visitors are encouraged to take all proper safety precautions, leave no trace, and recreate responsibly while enjoying public lands. Explore our interactive map to find your favorite BLM recreation opportunity.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.