Stage II Fire Restrictions issued

Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect in Northwest Montana Monday, July 30.The Kootenai Forest officials' report nine additional fires on the forest. Initial attack crews and other resources have been dispatched to the fires and more resources are being ordered. All fires are reported to be small at this time.

Officials will continue monitoring and using aerial detection to locate new fires.The weather forecast is for hot, dry weather for the next few days.

One fire to note is the Savage Mountain Fire. This fire, which was detected Tuesday, July 24, is located 20 miles south/southwest of Troy and is about three acres in size. Due to concerns for firefighter safety - steep and inaccessible terrain - this fire will be monitored and managed with a confine strategy.

Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect on Monday, July 30 for Northwest Montana until further notice. Stage II fire restrictions will apply to all lands in Northwest Montana under the protection of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Glacier National Park, Lake County, Sanders County, Lincoln County, Flathead County, Region 1 of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

This does not apply to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, (Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Great Bear Wilderness) lands on the Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Helena and Lolo National Forests. Stage I fire restrictions are in effect for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit:1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.2. 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.3. The following acts are prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.: a. Operating any internal combustion engine b. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame c. Using an explosive.A patrol is required for two hours following completion of all activities as described in #3 above.4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.Anyone causing a wildfire can be held financially responsible for damages and suppression costs. Please visit: www.mt.blm.gov/fire/restrictions for more information about fire restrictions in Northwest Montana, or contact a local fire management office.