Open fires banned

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announced Friday that in addition to the Stage II Fire Restrictions that are in effect for North Idaho, the agency is temporarily banning all "open fires" within North Idaho state parks.

"We're taking these measures to ensure the protection of the priceless natural resources within our parks," said Keith Hobbs, operations administrator for the state parks department. "Idaho's north region is experiencing conditions that create extreme fire danger and this added open fire ban is one way for us to be proactive in protecting the special places entrusted to us."

The open fire ban restriction prohibits the use of "open fires" fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels, including propane campfires. The use of lanterns and items designed for cooking, grills and cook stoves, fueled by propane or white gas are still allowed. This temporary restriction impacts the following Idaho state parks: Priest Lake, Round Lake, Farragut, Heyburn, McCroskey, Hells Gate, Dworshak and Winchester. Fires are prohibited year-round at the Coeur d'Alene Parkway, Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.

Info: www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov