Sanders County moves to Stage II fire restrictions

Sanders County moved into Stage II fire restrictions on Friday, Aug. 10, as advised by the Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Naegeli.

The following is a direct ruling from Naegeli on what the restrictions entail. Naegeli also advised that the Sanders County Commissioners signed the resolution last Thursday to enable them to put the restrictions in place.

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire.

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

3. The following acts are prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.:

a. Operating any internal combustion engine.

b. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

c. Using an explosive

A one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following the cessation of all activities as identified in #3 above.

4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Stage II exemptions:

1. Persons with written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

2. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.

3. Operating generators with an approved spark-arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

4. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.

5. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions

6. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

7. Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

8. All land within a city boundary is exempted.

9. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

Violations:

- You could be fined up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 for an organization and imprisoned up to six months for violating restrictions and closures.

- You can be held liable for all suppression costs and damages if you start a fire.