SPOKANE—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane District has increased fire restrictions on public lands administered by the BLM and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in eastern Washington. The fire restrictions order has been modified to prohibit discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt under state, federal, or tribal law and regulations. The building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire of any type, including charcoal briquette fires is also now prohibited.

The temporary ban will take effect August 21, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. in the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.

The new restrictions are expected to be in effect until fire conditions change. The agency is encouraging target shooters to visit local private and public target range facilities during this time.

In addition to prohibiting target shooting and campfires, restrictions on the use of off-road vehicles, and smoking are still in effect. A complete, modified fire restriction order is attached to this release and can be found online at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-issues-fire-restrictions-order-eastern-washington-1.