NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 14, 2015
CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Officer
(208) 334-0236 or ecallihan@idl.idaho.gov
Fire managers extend closed fire season, requiring permits for burning past Oct. 20
(BOISE) – Continued dry conditions and unseasonably high fire danger statewide have prompted State of Idaho
fire managers to extend the period required under law to obtain a fire safety burn permit for certain controlled
burn activities.
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) announced today it would extend “closed fire season” until further
notice. Closed fire season begins May 10 and usually extends through Oct. 20 every year. Idaho law (38-115)
requires any person living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plans to burn anything – including crop
residue burning and excluding recreational campfires – during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn
permit.
“Even though it’s the middle of October, conditions are expected to be warm and dry enough across Idaho to
ignite a wildfire that can easily escape initial attack,” State Forester David Groeschl said. “Requiring fire safety
burn permits past October 20 for certain controlled burn activities enables fire managers to set parameters for
the types of burning allowed in certain areas that are still at risk for wildfire.”
By October, there also are fewer firefighters, equipment, and aircraft available to respond to a controlled burn if
it escapes.
The fire safety burn permit system informs fire managers where burning activities are occurring, reducing the
number of false runs to fires and saving firefighting resources for instances in which they are truly needed. It
also enables fire managers to respond more quickly to fires that escape, potentially reducing the liability of the
burner if their fire escapes.
Fire safety burn permits can be obtained online at http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov or in person at IDL offices
statewide. The fire safety burn permit is free of charge and good for 10 days after it is issued. Permits issued
through the self service web site are available seven days a week, issued immediately, and valid immediately.
Residents also are encouraged to contact their local city or rural fire department before burning because some
incorporated cities and towns may require their own burn permit. IDL will not issue fire safety burn permits
within districts where local burn bans are in effect. Additionally, residents should contact the Idaho Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the Nez Perce Tribe or Coeur d’Alene Tribe for burn restriction information
for air quality. DEQ can be reached by calling (800) 633-6247 or visiting http://deq.idaho.gov/air-quality.aspx.
If there are other burning restrictions in effect or additional or alternate permits required, the fire safety burn
permit web site will provide instructions for Idahoans on how to contact those entities.
http://www.idl.idaho.gov/news-media/2015-releases/10-14-2015-fire-managers-extend-closed-fire-season.pdf
