BLM reminds visitors to celebrate safely during Independence Day weekend
BILLINGS, Mont. — In just about one week, Independence Day celebrations will light up the sky across the nation. The holiday weekend is also a popular time to go hiking, picnicking and camping.
Before thinking it might be fun to combine those two activities, remember, 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.
“If fireworks are part of your celebration, please use them safely and only in areas where they're permitted. A safe celebration helps protect our communities, firefighters, and public lands. Every year, thousands of wildfires occur across the nation, endangering lives and causing severe damage to property and resources,” said Aaron Thompson, BLM Montana/Dakotas Fire Management Officer. “Most human-caused wildfires are preventable by following land-use rules and applying common-sense safety practices. We encourage everyone to safely celebrate our nation’s Independence Day by doing their part to prevent human-caused wildfires.”
Thompson 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.
According to the National Safety Council, fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year. In 2018 alone, fires started by fireworks caused $105 million in direct property damage.
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.
Visit the National Interagency Fire Centerfor more information about fire prevention. Learn more about visiting your public lands on the BLM website.
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.