SPOKANE - A regulated fire closure on lands administered by the Spokane District Bureau of Land Management took effect at 12:01 a.m. July 17, according to a BLM announcement.
     The closure affects Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima counties.
     The closure prohibits people from operating motor vehicles off developed roadways, having outdoor fires and smoking while traveling in timber, brush or grass areas, except for in vehicles on roads, cleared areas or on boats in rivers or lakes, according to the BLM.
     An exception to the vehicle restriction is the off-highway vehicle area at Juniper Dunes Recreation Area, the announcement continued.
     Concerning outdoor fires, liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters are permitted within cleared areas at least 10 feet in diameter.
     Fires within steel rings at improved campgrounds also are allowed in the Yakima River Canyon, Coffeepot, Twin Lakes, Liberty, Chopaka, Washburn and Pacific Lake sites.
     BLM officials note that fireworks are illegal on such federal lands.
     “Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both,” according to the BLM announcement.
     More information is at the “Regulated Fire Closure Order” link on the BLM Web site, www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/fire/index.php, or from the Spokane district office, (509) 536-1200.