Start a fire on public land, pay a huge fine, BLM warns ahead of July 4 weekend

Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a statement, reminding visitors that statewide fire restrictions remain in effect in Washington.

“With national firefighting resources already stretched to their limits, statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington,” the July 1 statement read. “Local regions have also implemented additional emergency closures.”

The statement warned that any individuals responsible for starting wildfires face up to $100,000 in fines and 12 months in prison, as well as liability for all firefighting suppression costs.

“There are serious consequences for starting a wildfire, including fines and possibly imprisonment, which we hope everyone can avoid through careful choices,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area fire chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “We have already experienced excruciating loss this season. I cannot stress the gravity of the situation enough. Please help protect our firefighters and communities.”

By July 1, the DNR has responded to over 300 wildfires in Washington state. In April, the state of Washington declared a drought emergency.

The release comes on the heels of similar restrictions by the NPS and Gifford Pinchot National Forest, who have attributed their bans to drought conditions and rising temperatures.

The following items remain strictly prohibited on all BLM lands in Oregon and Washington:

• Fireworks and sky lanterns
• Exploding or metallic targets
• Tracer or incediary devices
• Steel component ammunition (core or jacket)

“Lighting a firework or leaving a smoldering campfire creates significant wildland fire risk. Under the right conditions, they easily start wildfires,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Don’t risk it. Let’s work together to prevent every wildfire possible.”

Further tips about how to help prevent wildfires can be found here.

Gavin Feek

The News Tribune

Gavin Feek is the outdoors reporter for The News Tribune. He is a Seattle-born writer who covers the intersection of public lands, climate-related issues and outdoor recreation. After working for many years in Yosemite National Park, Gavin pivoted to journalism in 2020. You can find his bylines in The Seattle Times, The Stranger, Outside, Climbing, The Intercept, Vox Media, Vertical Times, McSweeney’s, and various other publications. He spends his free time outdoors with his family.