Fire restrictions currently in effect
Effective midnight Wednesday, Aug. 3, Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect in Northwest Montana. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles, and developed campgrounds, and limits all campfires to developed or improved recreation sites or developed campgrounds on the lands under the jurisdiction of the wildland fire suppression agencies in Northwest Montana including: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Lake County, Sanders County, Lincoln County, Flathead County, Region 1 of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Under Stage 1 fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited:
?Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire except in a developed or improved recreation site, only in the metal or concrete fire rings provided at the site. Camp stoves fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels are allowed at any campsite.
?Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials.
These restrictions apply to any lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership. The restrictions do not apply to Glacier National Park or the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which includes the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness Areas. The restrictions will remain in effect until there is significant long-term change in fire danger.
Fire danger in Northwest Montana is well above average at most reporting stations. "We realize people don't intend to ignite fires when camping out, but with the rising fire danger taking some actions to minimize the number of fire starts with Stage 1 fire restrictions will help us all out," said Jeremy Pris, prevention specialist for the Montana DNRC. "Over the last several weeks there has been a rash of person caused wildland fires, preventable fires at that, so acting now before we have a serious problem is a good move."
Campfires and fireworks have been the leading cause of these fires. As the heat of summer continues to dry out the grasslands and forest, the chances of one of these preventable fires escaping control increases. Upon escape a simple campfire can become a damaging wildfire. These fires can be damaging to some of the natural resources, certainly damaging to the recreation sites, and can be a threat to homes and people in the Wildland-Urban interface.
The agencies also remind people the possession and ignition of fireworks is prohibited on National Forest system lands, National Park lands, and ignition is prohibited on forest and ranges lands in the state. People can be held responsible for any fire suppression costs that are a result of fireworks, escaped campfires, or smoking.
Open campfires are allowed only in improved public recreation sites in Northwest Montana. Please call your local fire protection agency for a list of approved campsites.
A Swan Lake Ranger District spokesperson said Tuesday local fire management officers will be meeting later this week to discuss whether and when they would be going to Stage 2 restrictions. Lolo National Forest fire management officials have already gone to Stage 2 restrictions because of the continuing dry weather.
For more information regarding wildland fire safety, campfires, and fire restrictions on Montana's forested lands in Northwest Montana, please contact your local DNRC, Forest Service, or Fish, Wildlife and Parks office.