COEUR d'ALENE - Whether you are planning a camping trip this holiday weekend or a day trip to visit public lands, the Bureau of Land Management wants to remind folks to keep in mind that most human-caused wildfires are preventable.

As North Idaho enters fire season, the BLM is asking the public for help in reducing human-caused fires.

"Nearly one-half of all wildfires in Idaho each year are human caused," said BLM North Idaho Interagency Fire Management Officer Mike Behrens.

Last year, more than 500 wildfires were started by people acting carelessly with fireworks, shooting at exploding targets, or riding all-terrain vehicles off-road through tall, dry grass.

"There are dozens of ways to start wildfires but only one way to put them out and that is through hard and often hazardous work," Behrens said.

Just this year, the BLM has issued a Fire Protection Order designating certain activities on BLM-managed lands as illegal from May 10 to Oct. 20.

These include activities such as fireworks; exploding targets; tracer ammunition; and burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, plastic or explosive material that may cause a wildfire.

"If we can remember to use caution when we're doing anything that could cause a wildfire, whether we're out shooting, off-roading, camping or just simply pulling a trailer, we'll help keep our firefighters and the public safe while saving taxpayers' dollars," said Behrens. "If we're careful this summer, we can stop wildfires before they start."

Regardless of the rain North Idaho has recently experienced, high temperatures over the next few weeks could quickly negate the moisture and again elevate fire danger.

An average to above average wildfire season is expected this year. BLM Idaho has released two public service announcements about the BLM fire prevention order that provided helpful tips for the public to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires.

They can be viewed at: www.id.blm.gov.