Stage 1 fire restrictions imposed on part of Elmore County

The fire season is well underway in Idaho and Stage 1 restrictions are designed to prevent man-caused blazes.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have now been expanded to include state protected and BLM managed lands within portions of Elmore County.

The new restrictions include all BLM and state managed lands within Elmore county that lies south of interstate 84, as well as all of Ada, Canyon, Payette and Washington counties.

The Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will go into effect July 29, 2014 beginning at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect until further notice.

The restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas. Stage 1 fire restrictions are already in place on public lands in Owyhee County and on the Sawtooth National Forest Recreation area.

Stage 1 restrictions essentially prohibit anyone from starting a fire unless it is in an approved fire structure (a fire pit, fire ring or other clearly designated area). Smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building also is prohibited.

Meanwhile, a burn ban is in effect throughout Elmore County.