HOPE — With fire season underway, the Sam Owen Fire District has banned the use of fireworks within the district.

“All of our district is basically a wildland-urban interface, so if a fire gets started, it can get into our forest and be a disaster,” said Eileen Klatt, public information officer with the SOFD.

The low humidity and potential high temperatures, as reported by the National Interagency Fire Center, led Sam Owen fire commissioners to declare a state of severe fire danger within the district during their June 12 meeting. Such conditions constitute a severe fire threat due to the current state of vegetation within the district, Klatt said. The district already had one wildfire on May 12 at Mosquito Creek, she said, which burned about 5.5 acres. With the accumulation of duff — a soil layer of partly decaying organic material — the fire smoldered, going deeper into the ground.

Under Idaho Code, the fire commissioners have authority to provide for the safety of the inhabitants and prevent fires within the district. As such, the board unanimously passed the resolution, which states that it is “unlawful for any person to use any fireworks as defined by Idaho Code 39-2602 within the Sam Owen Fire District from June 15, 2019 until November 1, 2019, or further resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the district. Violation of this Resolution shall constitute an infraction as provided for in Idaho Code 39-2609. Nothing in this resolution is intended to limit the prosecution of the use of fireworks as a misdemeanor by any authority having jurisdiction under Idaho Code 39-2613.”

Those who are issued an infraction will be cited and fined, Klatt said. The prohibition does not apply to any person or corporation exempt by virtue of a permit issued by Bonner County, the state of Idaho, or with written permission from the Sam Owen fire chief for a public fireworks exhibition. Klatt said Hope’s annual fireworks show will still be held this year.

The Sam Owen Peninsula — where the majority of fireworks are set off each year — is a particular area of concern, Klatt said, as there is only one road out of the area.

“We are working on an evacuation plan for the whole district, but focusing on the peninsula for that reason,” Klatt said.

Sam Owen’s fire commissioners and the co-fire chiefs are asking for everyone’s cooperation to ensure a safe and forest fire-free Fourth of July and summer season, she said.

SOFD is not the only agency concerned about the fire danger this year. The Idaho Department of Lands issued a statement Friday reminding people who are recreating on Idaho endowment lands to enjoy the holiday, but to leave fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices at home and use extreme caution with campfires.

During closed fire season, May 10 to Oct. 20, it is illegal to throw away any lighted material, including firecrackers or fireworks, on any forest or rangeland in the state of Idaho. Starting a wildfire by the use of fireworks is considered negligence, and the person who started the fire will be billed for the cost of fighting the fire. In the past two years, IDL has sent out multiple bills totaling $4.7 million for the cost of fires investigators determined to be negligent, according to the statement. The negligent fire bills range from a few hundred dollars to more than $1 million.

Last year, approximately 80 percent of all fires that occurred on land protected by IDL were human-caused and preventable.

IDL offers several tips to help prevent wildfires:

- When towing a boat or RV, secure the safety chains. Dragging and sparking chains are a frequent cause of wildfire along Idaho’s highways.

- Don’t drive a vehicle over tall, dry grass in the heat of summer; clear out vegetation before parking.

- Make sure your ATV, UTV, or dirt bike has a properly working spark arrestor.

- If you target shoot, do not use tracer bullets or exploding targets; both have caused wildfires in the past.

- Carry a shovel and water container in your vehicle.

- Campfire safety: Use a contained fire pit when having a campfire. If one is not available, dig a pit away from hanging branches in a cleared area and surround the pit with rocks. Never leave a campfire unattended, keep water and a shovel nearby, and make sure the remnants of a campfire are cold to the touch before leaving it. If it is warm to the touch, it is too hot to leave.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.