Fire restrictions take effect Wednesday
The Daily Inter Lake
New rules for campfires and smoking in forested areas will be in place under Stage 1 fire restrictions that take effect at midnight Wednesday in Northwest Montana.
The restrictions limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles and developed campgrounds, and limit all campfires to developed or improved recreation sites or developed campgrounds on the lands under the jurisdiction of wildland fire suppression agencies in Northwest Montana, including the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; Flathead and Kootenai national forests; Lake, Sanders, Lincoln and Flathead counties; Region One of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire except in a developed or improved recreation site where metal or concrete fire rings are provided. Camp stoves fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels are allowed at any site.
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials.
The restrictions apply to any lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership. The restrictions do not apply to Glacier National Park or the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which includes the Bob Marshall and Great Bear wilderness areas. The restrictions will remain in effect until a significant long-term change in fire danger occurs.
Fire danger in Northwest Montana is well above average at most reporting stations.
"We realize people don't intend to ignite fires when camping out, but with the rising fire danger, taking some actions to minimize the number of fire starts with Stage 1 fire restrictions will help us all out," said Jeremy Pris, state fire prevention specialist. "Over the last several weeks, there has been a rash of person-caused wildland fires - preventable fires at that - so acting now before we have a serious problem is a good move."
Campfires and fireworks have been the leading causes of these fires. As the heat of summer continues to dry out the grasslands and forest, chances of preventable fires escaping control increase, Pris said.
The possession and ignition of fireworks is prohibited on national forest system lands and national park lands, and ignition is prohibited on forest and range lands in Montana. People can be held responsible for any fire-suppression costs that result from fireworks, escaped campfires or smoking.