Fire managers approve Stage 1 fire restrictions in northwest Montana

Deteriorating conditions in northwest Montana led fire managers to begin Stage 1 fire restrictions Saturday.

The restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. across the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests, Glacier National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - Northwestern Land Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 as well as Lincoln, Flathead and Sanders counties.

One of the major changes is that camp fires of any kind are not permitted until further notice.

The intent of fire restrictions is to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition.

Violations may result in fines of up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 for an organization and imprisoned up to six months for violating restrictions and closures.

People can also be held liable for all suppression costs and damages for starting a fire.

The Kootenai National Forest has been in very high danger status since July 6.

Federal, state and local fire crews have worked several fires during the last few weeks in Lincoln County.

Each year, 70 to 80% of wildfires are human-caused and this summer the trend has continued. Northwest Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels, forecasts of temperatures above normal accompanied by low humidity, wind and minimal precipitation as well as competition for firefighting resources due to fires burning across the State and the West.

Several fires are burning in Idaho while northwest Montana has three large fires burning.

The Colt Fire, burning 15 miles northwest of Seeley Lake has burned nearly 5,000 acres as of Thursday morning. The Flathead Indian Reservation's Big Knife Fire is over the 150-acre mark. The Bowles Creek Fire, south of Missoula, is at more than 1,600 acres.

Federal, state and private jurisdictions under Stage I restrictions include:

• Kootenai National Forest, including Rexford, Fortine, Three Rivers, Libby and Cabinet Ranger Districts. There are no exceptions for recreation site campfires;

• 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. There are no exceptions for recreation site campfires;

• Glacier National Park;

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including Lost Trail and Swan River National Wildlife Refuge;

• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, including Kalispell, Libby, Stillwater and Plains Units. State land and private classified forested lands;

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Region 1 within Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties;

Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead counties are all under Stage I fire restrictions. Lake County, as of Thursday, July 27, has no fire restrictions.

• Green Diamond is not allowing campfires on their lands;

• Flathead Ridge Ranch prohibits campfires on their lands;

• Southern Pine Plantation of Montana - industrial timberlands in Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead Counties are not allowing campfires;

• Stimson Private Timber Company is not allowing campfires on their lands

• Stoltze Timber Company is not allowing campfires on their lands;

Under Stage I fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited until further notice:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire;
• 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

There are exemptions as well. They include:

• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act;
• 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.
• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice;
• 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. People should review local ordinances specific to jurisdiction.
• Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

For current wildfire and restrictions information visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/

Here are a few tips to prevent accidental wildfire ignitions this summer:

• Never discard cigarettes, matches or smoking materials on the ground;

• Maintain and clean any logging, farming or lawn equipment before use;

• Ensure trailer chains are properly secured to prevent dragging which can cause sparks;

• Avoid driving or parking your vehicle, ATV or UTV on dry grass;

• Debris burning is prohibited in northwest Montana during July, August and September.