COEUR d'ALENE - State and federal and tribal land management agencies announced a campfire and smoking ban on all tribal, federal and state-owned property beginning July 1 - the earliest burn ban in at least 20 years.

Campfires will still be allowed in designated campgrounds with designated burning areas, said Jason Kirchner, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.

"But campfires have to be in a spot that we have designated for burning," he said. "We have had people try and get around that in the past by bringing their own fire rings, but that isn't going to fly this year."

Kirchner said this is by far the earliest the Forest Service has ever had to restrict burning in the forests, and the first time it has been implemented since 2006.

"We are in a very unique year, so we are praying for rain - without the lightning," he said. "We have not seen it this dry this early in the season for at least 20 years."

Kirchner said the agency's records don't go back much further than that.

The Stage 1 Fire Restrictions apply to all publicly owned property below 3,000 feet in the North Valley areas of Boundary and Bonner counties and the South Valley area of Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah and Latah counties.

The Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit "Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided structure," according to a press release, and "smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials."

"With the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and the extreme temperatures the region is experiencing, fire managers are asking the public to be extra cautious when spending time in the outdoors," the press release stated. "Idahoans are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited on forest and rangelands in Idaho during closed fire season, which is May 10 through Oct. 20."

The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

The following are exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

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

Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.

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

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

All land within a city boundary is exempted.

Other exemptions unique to each agency.

While campfires are still allowed in the mountains above 3,000 feet, Kirchner said that does not mean those areas are fireproof.

"With the conditions like they are, we want people to take extra care with their campfires," he said.