The Stevens County Commissioners are actively working with the Department of Natural Resources, area legislators, as well as the Governor’s Office to lift the Level 4 Industrial Fire Precaution (IFPL) to permit salvage logging activities on lands hit by recent wildfires when and where it is appropriate.
The Commissioners understand that once the fire has occurred, the burnt timber has a limited shelf-life; the time frame for salvage logging is short and the fire danger is greatly reduced. In fact, most of the justification for Level 4 precaution is gone but safety hazards may still be present. The Commissioners are working with DNR to possibly find retired, or other professional foresters that can assist with the waiver process. If this action were approved, it would provide the professional expertise and knowledge necessary to safely log without pulling current DNR staff away from firefighting efforts.
The Commissioners are absolutely determined that landowners affected by the fires in this county be allowed to access their own lands for healthy restoration and economic recovery. The Commissioners will continue to use every means available to help accomplish this.
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) is a forest closure system set up to reduce wildfire risk and is used by DNR, Forest Service, BLM and Bureau of Indian Affair. They include:
Level 1 – Fire equipment and fire watch service is required.
Level II – Limits certain activities to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Level III – Prohibits some activities and limits others to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Level IV – All operations are prohibited.
Stevens County Commissioners
