Parts of wilderness reopen

The Daily Inter Lake

Just in time for today's opening of the wilderness big-game hunting season, several areas have been reopened to the public.

Access has been restored for some areas of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex that have been closed during the past two months.

Reopened areas include strategic corridors between the Skyland, Fool Creek and Ahorn fires burning on the eastern front of the wilderness complex.

In the Spotted Bear area of Flathead National Forest, several areas have been opened to allow access for hunters as the rifle season begins. And Skyland Road is open on the Hungry Horse Ranger District.

Many wilderness fires still are actively burning, however, so some areas remain closed.

For complete information on what's open or closed, contact local ranger districts or the Joint Information Center toll-free at 1-866-831-7450.

Maps of the new closure areas, including those displaying big game hunting districts, are available on the Internet at www.activefires.net/jic_mt.

Copies also can be viewed at ranger district offices in Lincoln, Augusta, Choteau, Great Falls, Seeley Lake, Bigfork, Hungry Horse and Spotted Bear.