People Not Following Idaho’s Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Boise National Forest officials say they are finding a high number of campfires that are in violation of the Stage 1 fire restrictions intended to prevent wildfires.

Spokesman David Olson says illegal campfires have been found in widespread areas on the northern part of the forest.

He says the problem is especially bad in the Middle Fork Payette River and South Fork Salmon River areas. Stage 1 fire restrictions mean fires can only be used in a designated fee recreation site and only in provided fire structures. Smoking is restricted to within an enclosed vehicle or building or designated recreation site, or in an area free of flammable materials in a 3-foot diameter.