Timber Sale Contracts
Too often timber harvests are conducted with no more than a nod and a handshake between the parties involved. Although this procedure sometimes works, a written agreement is far better.
Fire Restrictions Finder
Fire restrictions are a critical tool used by land management agencies to reduce the risk of unwanted human-caused wildfires, especially during periods of very high or extreme fire danger.
Restrictions are implemented using standardized guidelines adopted across agencies statewide and are part of a broader wildfire prevention strategy that may also include increased public outreach, signage, and media campaigns. When fire restrictions are in effect, they apply to all lands within the designated area—regardless of ownership—and must be followed by law.
The statewide interagency plan can be downloaded here: 2025 Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan
Table of Contents
Fire restrictions are a last resort to prevent unwanted human caused fires. During Closed Fire Season (May 10–October 20), burning is regulated on state and private lands through burn permits where specific types of burning may or may not be allowed. During this same time frame, the BLM issues an annual Prevention Order that limits certain types of activities on public lands they administer.
General Fire Restrictions FAQs
What lands are covered under the Fire Restrictions?
Federal, State, Tribal and private lands (outside of city limits and incorporated areas), which lie within the restriction area boundary.
What are the penalties or fines for violating a restriction order?
The maximum penalty for violating a fire restriction order differs depending on the enforcement agency:
Forest Service
- The maximum penalty for violating a restriction order is $5,000 for
individuals and $10,000 for corporations and/or 6 months imprisonment. The maximum penalty would be imposed by the Federal Magistrate following a court appearance.
BLM
- Violation of the prohibited acts is punishable by fine of not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months (Title 18 USC 1856, Title 43 USC 1701, Title 43 9212.4, and/or appropriate State laws).
State of Idaho
- County Sheriff responsible for enforcement of Idaho Code, could result in misdemeanor citation. Actual cost of fire suppression response may be billed to responsible party.
Bureau of Indian Affairs/Tribal
- State and county regulations and penalties apply. If you violate a fire restriction order results in a wildfire, you will also be liable for all suppression costs resulting from the wildfire including damage to property and resources. Criminal charges may also be imposed.
What is a developed recreation site?
A developed recreation site is an area that has been improved or developed for recreation. A developed recreation site is signed as a privately owned commercial campground, tribal, or agency owned campground or picnic area.
Are the public lands closed due to the fire restrictions?
No. Your public lands remain open for use. However, in the event of a fire, there may be temporary road or area closures associated with the incident to provide for public and firefighter safety.
Who determines when and what fire restrictions are enacted?
Fire restrictions in Idaho are managed through a collaborative, interagency process outlined in the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan. This plan guides how cooperating agencies coordinate the implementation of fire restrictions and closures.
By working together, agencies can ensure consistency across jurisdictions and clearly define restriction boundaries so they are easy for the public to understand and comply with.
Idaho’s fire restrictions group includes representatives from the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal governments, and local fire management personnel.
Under what legal authorities are fire restrictions enacted?
Fire restrictions and closures can be invoked on state, federal, and private lands under federal and state laws. Here are references to these authorities:
USDA Forest Service Authorities
- For Closures
- 36 CFR 261.52(e) – Going into or being upon an area
- For Restrictions
- 36 CFR 261.50 – Fire
- General that applies to both restrictions and closures
- 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559 and 3571 – Violation/Penalties
- 36 CFR 261.51 – Posting Requirements
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.), Sections 302(b) and 301(a) 43, CFR, Part 9210 (Fire Management) 43, CFR, Part 9212 (Wildfire Prevention)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)/ Tribal
- Forest restrictions and closures are issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Agency Superintendent under authority established in 25 CFR 163.3, 25 CFR 163.28
State of Idaho, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL)
Restriction Map
Fire restrictions have not yet been implemented in green areas. Yellow areas are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Red areas are in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. You can also click on an area in the map and see any fire restrictions in the dialog box.
View Restrictions by Zone
Related Articles
Read Full Article
Forest Management 4: Locating a Timber Sale Purchaser
Experienced landowners know that a successful timber harvest requires planning. After management objectives, silvicultural prescriptions, and contractual requirements are formulated, a purchaser must be found. Usually, timber sale purchasers are responsible for logging operations. They can make you satisfied or disappointed in the results.
Administering a Timber Harvest
Administering a Timber Harvest In technical terms, timber sale administration is the supervision of harvest activities to achieve silvicultural and economic objectives through sound logging practices and proper log utilization. In plain English, sale administration is telling a logger what you want before it’s too late. Communication and cooperation between a landowner and the logger […]
Forest Management 8: Summary of Cost Share Programs
To the average forest landowner the vast array of cost-share programs must seem like a jumbled soup of alphabet acronyms. There’s, CRP, EQIP, CSP, HFRP among others. They are administered by agencies called FSA, IDL, NRCS and IDF&G. While the programs can providing worthwhile incentives to landowners wanting to enhance the management of their property, many factors make it difficult for landowners to understand their options.
Forest Management 5: Administering a Timber Harvest
In technical terms, timber sale administration is the supervision of harvest activities to achieve silvicultural and economic objectives through sound logging practices and proper log utilization. In plain English, sale administration is telling a logger what you want before it’s too late.