Feds Enact Shooting, Fireworks, Ban on WA, OR Lands

Due to what officials say are lower than normal precipitations levels, a shooting, fireworks,  tracer ammo ban is now going into effect on Bureau of Land Management properties.

The BLM is a Federal agency that oversees land areas throughout the West, this ban is effective for WA and OR. According to the Bureau:

 Effective May 10, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is prohibiting the use of fireworks, target shooting with exploding targets, and firing tracer or incendiary devices on all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The prohibition will remain in effect until October 31.

“BLM-managed public lands start to see more visitors in May due to the beautiful weather, especially during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This annual fire prevention order reminds people to be fire-wise to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jose Linares, acting State Director, BLM Oregon/Washington. “In dry conditions, sparks can spread quickly from fireworks or exploding targets, putting people, wildlife, and habitats at risk.”

Fines can be as high as or exceed $1,000. For clarification, BLM issued this information about what's considered an incendiary device:

"An incendiary device is defined as any firebomb or device designed or specially adapted to cause physical harm to persons or property by means of fire, consisting of an incendiary substance or agent and a means to ignite it. Examples include, but are not limited to, flamethrowers, Molotov cocktails, or accelerants."