Campfire time comes to a stop in northwest Montana

At least for now, camp fire time is over in northwest Montana.

Northwest Montana Region fire managers determined it was time to enact Stage 1 restrictions, which begin at midnight Friday, Aug. 2.

Lincoln County Commissioners voted to approve the emergency resolution at Wednesday’s meeting. Montana code gives commissioners the authority to restrict open burning.

It follows the declaration made by Troy Volunteer Fire Department Chief D.J. Welch who called for Stage 1 fire restrictions July 22 inside city limits.

The restrictions include lands on the Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Glacier National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Lost Trail and Swan River National Wildlife Refuge), Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - Northwestern Land Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1, Lincoln, Flathead and Sanders counties.

Because 80 to 90% of wildfires are human-caused, restrictions help reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of very high to extreme fire danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition.

Rain that fell Tuesday was warmly welcomed following a run of breezy 100-plus degree days that started to dry vegetation. But the break didn’t last long as National Weather Service forecasts call for temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Friday and Saturday.

There is a 30% chance of rain late Saturday night followed by chances of showers and thunderstorms Sunday through Tuesday.

Lincoln County remains in either the abnormally dry or moderate drought categories after pretty wet conditions this spring.

According to the resolution, using a fire or campfire is prohibited on any forest, range, cropland, county park, commercial or private land. 

Also on the not-to-do list is smoking, unless inside a 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.

In Libby city limits, using outdoor grills or barbecues such as briquettes, wood or charcoal as fuel is prohibited.

Other restrictions include:

- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a maintained and working spark arresting device properly installed. For chainsaw use, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum 8-ounce capacity and rating of 2A must be kept with the operator and a round point shovel at least 35 inches long must be kept readily available for use. 

- Blasting, welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame, except in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum 8-ounce capacity and rating of 2A must be kept with the operator.

- Using an explosive including but not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers and incendiary ammunition.

There are exceptions to the restrictions, including using a device such as a stove or grill that is fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels or pellets that can be turned on and off. Such stoves can only be used on private land in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding materials within three feet of the device. Using devices in U.S. Forest Service lands are not allowed.

For full details, visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org. Fines can range from $5,000 to $10,000 and for those who start a fire, they can be held liable for costs to extinguish it and damages.

For private timberlands, officials with Stimson Lumber Company are requiring its logging contractors to shut down operations at 1 p.m. with a  one-hour fire watch (voluntary hoot owl).

According to Area Woodlands Montana Manager Bruce Rowland, company policy restricts campfires on all lands except the designated sites on the Fisher River. He said the company will be posting campfire signs on these sites this weekend.

On Green Diamond Resource Company lands, Montana Area Manager Brian Hobday detailed its restrictions, which include:

- Fireworks or any type or exploding targets are not allowed year-round on their property;

- Campfires on Green Diamond lands in Montana were halted about three weeks ago. Hobday said the restriction will stay in place until company officials believe it is safe to lift the restrictions;

- Contractors working on Green Diamond property have been working a modified “hoot owl” schedule for the past three weeks. 

Also, Flathead Ridge Ranch, Southern Pine Plantation and Stoltze Timber Company prohibits campfires on their lands.

There are a number of state and county jurisdictions in northwest Montana under Stage II restrictions. They include DNRC Plains Unit, state Fish, Wildlife and Parks lands within Lake and Sanders counties as well as both Lake and Sanders counties.

The Kootenai and Flathead national forests remain in very high fire danger status. The Lolo National Forest is in extreme status and in northern Idaho, the Panhandle National Forests, which include Coeur d’Alene, Kaniksu and St. Joe, are all in very high status.

Also, the closure order on the Libby Ranger District for roads in the vicinity of Libby Asbestos Operable Unit 3 (OU3) remains in effect. The purpose of the closure is to prevent or reduce human caused fire starts in and around OU3 during elevated fire danger. 

OU3 is an Environmental Protection Agency listed site in need of clean up from past asbestos mining operations. Any fire within OU3 can only be fought with limited firefighting personnel and equipment. Preventing or reducing human caused wildland fire events is critical because of these limitations. The order is in effect until noon Sept. 20, unless it is lifted sooner.

For more information, call the Libby Ranger District at 406-293-7773.

Fire managers shared 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.