Tougher fire limits start on Monday

The Daily Inter Lake

Fire officials have decided to elevate fire restrictions to prohibit all campfires across Northwest Montana starting Monday, July 30.

Stage Two fire restrictions will apply to all lands under the protection of the Montana Department of Natural Resources, the Flathead and Kootenai national forests and Glacier National Park, along with Lake, Sanders, Lincoln and Flathead counties. The restrictions also apply to lands managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Bob Marshall Wilderness will remain under Stage One fire restrictions, which allow campfires in designated areas.

Stage Two restrictions entirely prohibit building, attending or using a fire or campfire. Smoking is allowed only in a vehicle, building or in an area at least three feet across that is clear of flammable materials.

Stage Two restrictions also impose "hoot owl" hours of operation that mainly apply to loggers. From 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., it is illegal to "operate a chain saw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, road building or wood cutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering."

Loggers must patrol their work sites for two hours following completion of daily work activity.

The restrictions also prohibit all motorized vehicles off of designated roads and trails.

Additional information on fire restrictions is available at:

http://www.mt.blm.gov/fire/restrictions