Fire danger reaches high level

Residents of Lincoln County are being advised to exercise safe fire practices as fire dangers are now at a high level. 

Kootenai National Forest fire management officer Dan Rose, said fires were below the 10 year average of 40 fires, with only 23 fires documented in mid-July. One-third of these fires caused during the late summer seasons are typically lightning related. 

“We will be conducting phone calls within the next few weeks and discussing fire danger and potential restrictions,” Rose said earlier in mid- July. “There is a communication process between several entities, such as the Forest Service, the state and the county, before a restriction is put in place.” 

Fire restrictions are still nonexistent in the northwest area a month later; however, Rose advises Lincoln County residents to be aware of fire dangers as several lightning fires have occurred since mid-July.

“We are in a high fire danger period right now,” Rose said. “We are really encouraging people to be more cautious and more fire aware in the woods. We are definitely getting closer to implementing a restriction based on the current situation.” 

A stage one fire restriction was recently passed in Southwest Montana counties. This restriction prohibits smoking outside of building, vehicles and developed recreation sites unless within a three-foot diameter area cleared of burnable vegetation and campfires outside of approved recreation sites. If a restriction is implemented in the Northwest counties, it will likely follow the Southwest with a stage one restriction.

Emergency management officer Vic White briefed the county commissioners about current fire dangers and basic emergency strategies at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

“Right now it is very important for the public to be aware of the fire dangers,” White said. “We are encouraging people to report smoke sightings and to put out campfires all the way.”

White said the decision on whether to implement fire restrictions will be made on Tuesday morning at the Northwest Zone conference meeting.