OLYMPIA – With cooler temperatures and higher humidity reducing wildfire danger, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is lifting target shooting restrictions on WDFW lands beginning Saturday, Sept. 15.

A similar target shooting ban will be lifted the same day on lands managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.  This comes as welcome news for the many target shooters who enjoy the pastime.

“These changes reflect an easing of fire danger, but we still urge anyone heading outdoors this fall to be extremely cautious while participating in any activity that could spark a wildfire,” said Cynthia Wilkerson, manager of the WDFW Lands Division.

Target shooters should remain vigilant and avoid shooting into tall dry grass where sparks could start a fire. Discharge of a firearm for legal hunting remains permitted on all WDFW lands.

Although the risk is lower, the wildfire season is not over. Wilkerson noted that other restrictions remain in place on WDFW-managed properties in Eastern Washington. Those restrictions include:

• Fires or campfires, including those in fire rings, are prohibited. Personal camp stoves and lanterns fueled by propane, liquid petroleum, or liquid petroleum gas are allowed.
• Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle.
• Welding and operating chainsaws are prohibited. Operating a torch with an open flame and all equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is also prohibited.
• Operating a motor vehicle away from developed roads is prohibited. Parking is permitted within designated parking areas, including developed campgrounds and trailheads; and in areas without vegetation that are within 10 feet of roadways.

State law also prohibits the discharge of fireworks and the disposal of a lit cigarette or other burning material from a vehicle on a state highway.

Any changes to these restrictions will be posted on the department’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/.

More information about fires and fire prevention is available online from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (http://www.dnr.wa.gov) and the U.S. Forest Service (http://www.fs.usda.gov).