Northwest Montana Under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Montana fire season is in full swing.

Dry lightening caused more fires to start the last weekend in July in the Mission Valley.  Combine that with dry conditions, and Montana is ripe for the burning.

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From Montana Right Now, due to the increased fire activity, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions have been put in place in:

• Flathead National Forest, including Hungry Horse, Glacier View,
• Swan Lake, Spotted Bear and Tally Ranger Districts to include the Great Bear Wilderness, Mission Mountain Wilderness, and the    Flathead National Forest portion of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
• Kootenai National Forest, including Rexford, Fortine, Three Rivers,

Libby and Cabinet Ranger Districts.

• Glacier National Park
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, including Kalispell, Libby, Stillwater, Swan and Plains Units.
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Region 1 within Flathead County, Lake County, Lincoln County, Sanders County.
  • Flathead County – Stage 2 fire restrictions
  • Lake County – Stage 2 fire restrictions
  • Lincoln County – Stage 2 fire restrictions
  • Sanders County– Stage 2 fire restrictions
  • Green Diamond - are not allowing campfires on their lands
  • Flathead Ridge Ranch - prohibits campfires on their lands
  • Southern Pine Plantation of Montana - are not allowing campfires
  • Stimson Private Timber Company - are not allowing campfires on their lands
  • Stoltze Timber Company - are not allowing campfires on their lands *August 7^th Stoltze will close their land to public access of any kind

From Montana Right Now, the rules of Stage 2 Fire Restriction:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
  • EXEMPTION: Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding materials within three feet of the device.
• 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 barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• The following acts are prohibited between1:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., and a one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following the cessation of all activities as identified below:
• Operating any internal combustion engine.
  • EXEMPTIONS:
    • Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
    • Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
    • Using an explosive.

1. Operating Motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

OTHER EXEMPTIONS:

• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written permit that specifically authorizes the activity.
• Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
• All land within a city boundary is exempted. *Review local ordinances specific to jurisdiction.
• Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

Violation Penalties:

• Individuals can be fined up to $5,000 and 6 months in jail
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 and 6 months in jail
• You can be held liable for all costs and damages related to the fire you started

Remember What Smokey The Bear Says

"Only YOU can prevent forest fires"