By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

Heightened fire restrictions, including no campfires and smoking limitations, will be implemented on Wednesday and remain in effect until further notice.

State and federal agencies announced on Monday that the drought has led to Stage 2 fire restrictions that prohibit:

- campfires and stove fires;

- smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, designated recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials;

- operating motorized recreational vehicles off designated roads and trails; and

- using a chain saw, welder or explosive between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

"Stage 2 stops all types of recreational fires," said Shane O'Shea of the Idaho Department of Lands. "Fire managers want to get this message out well before the weekend, so it doesn't hamper plans or people can at least prepare for it."

Nearly two weeks ago Stage 1 restrictions, which prohibits campfires in non-designated areas, were implemented.

O'Shea said isolated sprinkles over the weekend and the recent cooling trend have done nothing to dampen fire danger. The danger has increased with the wind, he said.

"Most districts remain under extreme fire danger conditions, which is another reason we moved to Stage 2," he said. "We hope that by enacting the restrictions we'll stem the tide and prevent fires from happening."

The wet spring, O'Shea said, prevented fire restrictions from being implemented earlier.

He said Kootenai County has dodged a bullet so far this fire season.

"We haven't seen the human starts or lightning that we've had in the past," O'Shea said. "We also believe people are being more cognizant, taking responsibility and doing the right thing."

Shoshana Cooper, spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the restrictions include all state, federal and private forestland and rangeland in Kootenai, Benewah, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Latah counties. It also includes public lands in Washington and Montana that are part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

Exemptions to the Stage 2 fire restrictions include:

- a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act;

- a fire or stove fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum in an area cleared of flammable material;

- a generator with an approved spark arrester on areas that are cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet;

- private landowners using charcoal or propane barbecues on their own lands;

- normal farm operations;

- emergency public utility or railroad repairs; and

- all land within a city boundary.

Fireworks are prohibited on state and private forestland and rangeland, and on public lands, roads and trails in Idaho through Oct. 20. Possession or use of fireworks is always prohibited on federal public lands.