Open flame burn ban begins Wednesday at 8 a.m.

City of Orofino and Orofino Rural Fire Department is issuing an open flame burn ban starting Wednesday, July 14, at 8 a.m. and continuing until conditions improve.

This means no campfires or fire pits! BBQ's must have a lid.

Orofino Police Chief Jeff Wilson said there is a city ordinance supporting such a ban and that people could face criminal prosecution for such an offense.

Starting Friday July 16, at 12:01 a.m. the areas outside of the City of Orofino and Orofino Rural in the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area will fall under the following Stage 2 restrictions:

The following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire (wood or gas fueled), or stove fire.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails in accordance with existing travel management plans.
• The following acts are prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. A patrol is required for 1 hour (3 hours for anyone engaged in a Forest Operation requiring a Certificate of Compliance) following cessation of all work as described below:
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering
• Blasting, welding, or other activities that generate flame or flammable material
• Using an explosive