HUNTING/FISHING -- Despite rain that's fallen in some areas in the past few days, Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect Tuesday on all private, state and federally managed or protected lands, roads and trails in North Idaho and portions of Central Idaho.

• Several private timber companies have enacted sweeping temporary closures to public access.

Drought conditions coupled with very high fire danger levels continue to persist in much of Idaho.

Under Stage II fire restrictions, using a fire, campfire, or stove fire is prohibited, as well as operating vehicles such as ATVs, UTVs and pickups off designated roads and trails. 

Smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles or buildings, or in areas cleared of vegetation. 

Any activity that generates flame or flammable material, including operating a chain saw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. 

Any work done outside the time restriction must include one hour of patrolling the area for fires after the work is completed.

To assist hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts this summer, the latest fire activity, area restrictions and links related to fire is now available on Idaho Fish and Game’s website. 

Go directly to the latest information about Idaho fires at Idahofireinfo.blogspot.com, an interagency website developed by federal and state agencies to provide timely and accurate information for wildland fires, fire restrictions and prevention.

• Firefighters in North Idaho have had to fight fires ignited by careless campers even as other fires burn in mountains around them.  See story.

"It is still uncertain how the wild fires might affect the upcoming hunting seasons," Idaho Fish and Game says in a media release.

The agency does not recommend closing hunts or altering season dates in response to fire restrictions since most fires do not grow large enough to affect an entire hunt unit.