New BLM Restrictions on 20 Eastern WA Counties

New rules to prevent fires were imposed Friday, August 21st on land protected by the Bureau of Land Management in Eastern Washington. The rules cover 20 eastern Washington counties including Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan.

The restrictions ban the use of campfires, including charcoal briquettes. Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters are permitted. The discharge of firearms is permitted for hunting and operating a motorized vehicle off developed roadways or parking vehicles off roadways is prohibited.

Smoking is restricted in timber, brush or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads, or cleared areas or on boats on waterways. Fines range up to $1-thousand and possible prison time.

Here is the full text of the restrictions announced Friday;

Pursuant to 43 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 9212 and 423.3(d), the following acts are prohibited on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation beginning at 12:01 a.m. August 21, 2020 in the following Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties.
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire.
Exception: Liberty Campground will follow USFS restriction levels. 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.
• Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal or tribal law and regulations. Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited year-round on Federal lands.
• Operating any type of motorized vehicle off developed roadways. Parking of vehicles off roadways must be done in an area barren of flammable materials. Developed roadways are those that are clear of flammable
debris berm to berm. When operating a motorized vehicle on public lands, you must carry a shovel at least 26 inches in length with at least an eight-inch blade, and either a one-gallon container of water or a fully charged 2.5
pound fire extinguisher. All motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles must be equipped with a properly functioning U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.
• Smoking while traveling in timber, brush or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads, or cleared areas at least 3 feet in diameter, or on boats on rivers and or lakes.

The following persons are exempt from this order:
• Persons with a permit that specifically authorized the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
• Any federal, state or local officer or a member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
The following acts are prohibited:
• Cause a fire,
• Fire a tracer or incendiary device (including fireworks);
• Leave a fire without extinguishing it, except to report it if it has spread beyond control;
• Enter an area which is closed by a fire prevention order; or
• Perform any act restricted by this fire prevention order.
Any person who knowingly and willfully violates these regulations, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both (43 CFR 9212.4).