BLM summer fireworks ban begins Saturday
Effective Saturday, June 1, the Bureau of Land Management is prohibiting the use of fireworks and exploding targets on all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington.
“We have some amazing places among the 16 million acres of lands managed by the BLM in Oregon and Washington,” said Jerry Perez, state director for BLM Oregon/Washington.
“Fire season started early for us here in Oregon,” Perez said. “We have had more than a dozen wildfires that were mostly concentrated in central and southwest Oregon. Our fire analysts anticipate above-normal fire potential across much of Oregon.”
“In anticipation of the early fire potential, the ban on fireworks and exploding targets has been moved up this year,” he added. “Summer, including the upcoming 4th of July holiday, is a great occasion for families and friends to get outside and enjoy our public lands. Please do so carefully. Help protect our wildlife habitats, watersheds, rangelands, and forests – the lands that work for you.”
Those who ignite fireworks or exploding targets on BLM-managed lands can be fined up to $1,000, receive a prison term of up to one year, or both. In addition, individuals responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.
The BLM cooperates with the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group to fight wildland fires in the Pacific Northwest. The Geographic Area Coordination Center offers routine updates on the fire potential regionally and nationally. Information about the BLM’s fire program is available on the BLM Oregon/Washington web site at: http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/fire/index.php .
