With fires sprouting up around the region, Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect across the Shoshone National Forest beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. The fire danger rating for the forest is “very high,” meaning a fire may start easily, spread rapidly and burn intensely. 

Fire managers use a variety of factors to determine when fire restrictions need to be applied to public lands, including the moisture content of fuels (how dry grasses, shrubs and trees are); projected weather conditions (including temperatures and possible wind events); the availability of firefighting resources nationwide; and the occurrence of human-caused fires.

“Moisture in large dead and downed trees is very low and the weather is predicted to continue to be hot and dry. So, in order to reduce the probability of wildfire, I’m asking the public for your support and adherence to fire restrictions that go into effect on Friday” said Shoshone National Forest Supervisor Ken Coffin in a release. 

Stage 1 fire restrictions that apply to the Shoshone National Forest include: 

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in: A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device; a fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least 5 feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a one-fourth inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.

• Possessing or using an exploding target. 

• Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 

• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for up to six months, or both.