COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Widespread and abundant precipitation combined with cooler temperatures have lowered fire danger across the Idaho Panhandle, prompting public, state, and tribal land managers to lift all fire restrictions in the Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Zone on Friday, September 1, at 12:01 a.m.

The Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Zone is comprised of all state, state endowment, federal, tribal, and private forestland and rangeland in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties. This also includes National Forest System lands in Washington and Montana that are administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Fire restrictions are coordinated by agencies managing lands or providing wildland fire protection in the area, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

Although several fires in the northern panhandle are still active, the recent precipitation and decreased temperatures have lowered fire danger and other indices that inform the need for restrictions. While campfires are no longer restricted, hunters and recreationists are urged to continue to use caution. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure it is cold to the touch before walking away. Please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder for a detailed map and current information regarding fire restrictions across the state.

As a reminder, you should never use fireworks on state and private forestland and rangeland and on public lands, roads, and trails. Possession and/or use of fireworks is always prohibited on federal public lands. Burn permits are required for debris burning during closed fire season (May 10-Oct. 20) and will be issued as conditions allow. Contact your local Idaho Department of Lands office for specific information, or see http://burnpermits.idaho.gov.