Officials lift, ease fire restrictions across northwest Montana

There haven’t been too many more welcome sights as the rain that fell across the region late Tuesday and Wednesday.

While firefighters got a big assist in battling several blazes across western Montana, it also helped in lifting Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions in some parts of northwest Montana, just in time for Labor Day weekend and the beginning of hunting season.

The order, which was approved by fire managers and county commissions, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. It applies to lands administered by the Kootenai National Forest in Lincoln, Flathead and Sanders counties and KNF lands in Bonner and Boundary counties in Idaho.

The recent rain and cooler temperatures have brought needed moisture to forest vegetation and lowered the fire danger across northwest Montana, specifically to high fire danger for the KNF.

Fire managers are still urging people to use caution with campfires.

Officials said those lighting campfires should be prepared and have the proper tools to extinguish it before it is lit. Bring a bucket, water, and shovel to drown and stir the campfire until it is completely out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

Debris burning remains closed in Lincoln County and does not open until Oct. 1. For those within the Libby Outdoor Burning Control Area, residential burning opens April 1, 2024.

In addition, Stimson Lumber Company officials announced its lands will re-open to public use on Friday, Sept. 1. It includes recreational use and for hunting.

Stoltze Land and Lumber Company property in Flathead, Lincoln and Lake counties are open to public use, but not to motorized access. Other restrictions include the prohibition of camping, fires of any kind, use of internal combustion engines, smoking and fireworks.

Green Diamond Resource Company Communications Manager Jason Callahan said their lands are still open to the public for recreation.

"I doubt that will change in the coming weeks," Callahan said. "Campfires are still prohibited until further notice, but hunting should still be allowed."

Also, Flathead and Sanders counties will be removing all fire restrictions at 12:01 a.m. Friday. This transition from Stage 2 fire restrictions to no restrictions will also include all state land and private classified as forested land within both counties.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will remain in effect for the Flathead Indian

Reservation, Lake and Granite counties, and all state land and private classified as forested land throughout Lake and Granite counties.

Under Stage 1 restrictions for Lake and Granite counties and the Flathead Indian Reservation, until rescinded, prohibited acts include building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site, and 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.

Restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant long-term change in fire danger and orders are rescinded.

Restrictions documentation for each jurisdiction, including exemptions specific to each jurisdiction, is provided on www.MTFireInfo.org.

Those using devices solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels is allowed during Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions, but they are to be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 lands within Lake County and FWP Region 2 lands within Granite County each remain under stage 1 restrictions.

The Lolo National Forest and several other jurisdictions within the Missoula Restrictions Area are not implementing fire restrictions currently.

For more information on fire restrictions in effect throughout Montana visit www.MTFireInfo.org.