Area fire restrictions lifted
Recent weather patterns, with cooler temperatures and increased moisture, have prompted fire officials to lift all fire restrictions implemented across northwest Montana since mid-summer.
The restrictions prohibited campfires, off-road travel in the forest, the use of combustion engines between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. and the performance of blasting, welding or other activities that generate flames. The lifting of restrictions does not impact the prohibition on open burning of slash piles and yard waste, however. Permits for residential burning will be available at the Lincoln County Environmental Health office or the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation office beginning April 1, 2016.
While restrictions and pre-evacuation notices are being lifted around the area, fire officials are not ready to declare the fire season over.
“Obviously, the fires are still idling,” said U.S. Forest Service resource officer Quinn Carver. “We’re waiting to see what this week brings. The next week to 10 days are going to be critical, as temperatures rise. We expect to see some smoke from the heavy fuels. There’s still a lot of fire across the landscape.”
The Northeast Kootenai Complex is reporting minimal activity on the Marston fire near Eureka, but efforts to maintain and repair suppression efforts continues.
“Fire activity is minimal on the Marston fire,” reported Cynthia Wolfe, the Northeast Kootenai Complex public information officer. “Smoke from an old slash pile within the fire perimeter will continue to be visible in the Deep Creek area. The Marston fire continues to be supported by two Type 2 crews and miscellaneous support personnel for a total of 87 fire personnel and support on the fire.
“The Marston fire is a long duration fire. Focus will be on suppression repair efforts. Excavators will be used to repair fuel breaks, pull back debris and improve hard line, causing the least surface and vegetation disturbance while rehabilitating the fire perimeter. Water bars are being installed on steep slopes, drainage ditches and roads to help prevent future erosion. Continued fire suppression repair will be implemented on the Marston fire until the winter season comes.”
The Goat Rock Complex, which now includes the Sawtooth, Napoleon and Government fires from the Clark Fork Complex in Sanders County, is also seeing minimal activity due to the cooler weather.
“The fire prevention sprinklers, hose and pumps were removed from around the historic Bull River Guard Station,” wrote incident public information officer Carmen Thomason in a Sept. 9 press release. “Firefighters also worked to remove brush and slash piles along the fuel break near Highway 56. Crews continued working alongside heavy equipment to enhance contingency lines on the east side of the Klatawa fire.
“Today’s weather was predominated by fog, cloud cover and cooler temperatures. This cooler weather continues to limit fire growth but heavy fuels within the fire perimeter will remain smoldering and could show smoke in the coming days. Expect to see a trend in higher temperatures and drier conditions as we move towards the weekend.”
Information officer Andy Rothleutner said there was no significant change between Wednesday and Thursday.
“Not a lot has changed on today’s fact sheet with the exception of a few details,” Rothleutner said. “The warmer temperatures will continue through the weekend. Interior smokes will continue to appear on parts of the fire through the warmer drier weekend. Monday will bring cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation. We have not seen a season ending event as of yet.”
Carver said cooperation between the various agencies and the participation of the community has greatly assisted in the firefighting efforts.
“Thanks go to the community and the county and everyone for working together so well all summer,” Carver said. “It’s been seamless between the city, county, state and the Forest Service. The people were great with the fire restrictions, which go all the way back into July and really impacted people’s plans for the summer.”