Nampa firefighters have been unusually busy on wildfires and providing mutual aid for agencies responding to wildfires over the past several weeks, so the department has implemented a ban on all outdoor open burning in the city and fire protection district.

"Due to the numerous fires and large quantity of dry fuels that we are currently experiencing we have taken this drastic measure as we believe this is currently the most effective way to protect our community," Nampa Fire Deputy Chief Doug Strosnider said in a news release.

Strosnider told the Statesman the department has never done this before because of concern about explosive fire threat. He's not sure when the ban will be lifted.

"Some of these are very preventable. If we're not out tending to those, we're ready for other emergencies," Strosnider said.

"We've got an abundance of fuels — much greater than we typically have," Stosnider said.

Nampa Fire has been called to or assisting on a couple of wildfires each day in recent weeks.