Citing the potential for wildfires, the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee has taken action to close the fireworks season on the reservation for the summer. Tribal officials say the closure is effective immediately based on the “very high” fire danger report issued recently by the National Fire Danger Rating System.

The system provides a value that is determined by a set of computer programs and algorithms that allows land management agencies to estimate current and future fire danger for a given rating area.

Calculations are based on fuels, topography, and weather, which is commonly known as the fire triangle. The output given by the rating system gives relative ratings of the potential growth and behavior for any wildfire in the system. The “very high” rating means fires could start easily, increase quickly in intensity and spread rapidly into heavier fuels. Tribal officials also pointed to the recent wildfire that threatened the tribe’s casino and other businesses east of Lewiston last week as reasons for the firework season closure.

As Americans get set to celebrate Independence Day this weekend, fire departments across the the country are urging those who plan to incorporate fireworks into their observance of the holiday to be careful. Linda Steputat with the Lewiston Fire Department says fireworks should always be handled in the safest way possible, especially with children nearby.

Linda Steputat, Lewiston Fire Department, comments

A wetter and cooler spring may have people believing that there is less threat of fire starts due to fireworks, but officials say that is not the case.

Linda Steputat continues

Other tips include having a water source readily available while lighting fireworks and pet owners are advised to keep their animals indoors during nearby firework displays. For more information contact the nearest fire department.

The Bureau of Land Management has declared fireworks illegal to use or possess on nearly 12 million acres of public land in Idaho in an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires this summer.

An above normal snowpack and a mild spring have kept fire season in the state in check so far, but recent warm weather has Idaho’s rangelands ready to burn, as vegetation is drying up rapidly, with the hottest months just around the corner. Wildfires in high grass and dense vegetation start easily, spread quickly and can be difficult to control.

Along with fireworks, the BLM Fire Prevention Order prohibits the use of incendiary or tracer ammo and explosive materials. Every year, both legal and illegal fireworks account for dozens of wildfires across Idaho and in some western states, all fireworks are illegal year-round.

The order is effective immediately and violation is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or even jail time. In addition, violators who start a wildfire could be held liable for all suppression and damage costs. The order remains in effect until Oct. 20.

BLM officials will evaluate the effectiveness of the order over the winter to determine whether to issue it again next year.