With the Fourth of July fast approaching, federal land managers are tightening the rules to guard against wildfires. The Bureau of Land Management is increasing fines and restricting access to public land in Washington and Oregon.
The move comes at a time when firefighting resources are already stretched thin. Officials say the added measures are aimed squarely at preventing fires during a high-risk stretch of the summer.
The financial and legal consequences for starting a wildfire have been raised sharply. The BLM says fines and penalties can now climb up to 100,000 dollars and carry as much as 12 months in prison.
On top of that, anyone found responsible for igniting a wildfire could be held financially liable for the cost of fighting it. That potential liability adds another layer of deterrence for careless behavior on public land.
Certain items are now off-limits entirely on BLM lands. Fireworks, exploding targets and incendiary ammunition are all prohibited, reflecting the particular dangers they pose during dry conditions.
The restrictions apply to BLM-managed lands across both Washington and Oregon. The timing lines up with a holiday weekend when fireworks use typically spikes, raising the risk of accidental ignitions.
Officials are urging the public to take the rules seriously and to be cautious with anything that could spark a blaze. With fire danger elevated, the agency is signaling that violations will carry steep costs.