101 fires burning across Northwest Montana
<p><strong>Smoke pours</strong> from the Thompson Fire in Glacier National Park on Aug. 11. The increasingly critical fire situation in Northwest Montana has prompted tougher restrictions on outdoor activities. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
With as many as 101 wildfires burning across Northwest Montana, new fire restrictions go into effect on Thursday.
Stage 2 restrictions ban all open burning, including campfires, and restrict vehicles to designated roads and trails.
In addition, equipment operation involving internal combustion engines such as chain saws is prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The restrictions apply to any lands outside designated city limits, regardless of ownership. The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant long-term change in fire danger.
Fire danger currently is extreme; five of the area wildfires have covered more than 1,000 acres each.
On the Kootenai National Forest, there are at least 51 active fires since last week.
Currently there are 30 known fires burning on the Flathead National Forest originating from a series of lightning storms passing over the area late last week.
In addition, nine fires were sparked on the Flathead Indian Reservation, there are three fires burning in Glacier National Park and there are eight fires on state land.
Jurisdictions affected by the restrictions include:
• Flathead National Forest.
• Kootenai National Forest.
• Bob Marshall Wilderness lands within the Flathead National Forest
• Glacier National Park.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Montana Department of Natural Resources Northwestern Land Office.
• Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1.
• Counties: Flathead, Lake (outside of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal land), Lincoln and Sanders.
Specifically, Stage 2 restrictions:
1. Prohibit any open burning, including campfires.
2. Allow smoking only in areas cleared of all flammable materials.
3. Restrict motorized vehicles to designated roads and trails.
4. Prohibit from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. operating an internal combustion engine and blasting, welding, or other activities that generate flame or flammable material. A patrol is required for one hour following cessation of all such work.
5. Exempt fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum or other activities for which there is a permit or written authorization.
According to the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group, which announced the restrictions, the smallest spark has the potential to cause significant damage, so always crush smokes dead out; never leave a campfire unattended; ensure that your vehicle has a properly installed spark arrester that is operational; stop and park only in areas clear of vegetation; and observe all fire restrictions.
People should carry shovels, buckets and fire extinguishers. Cross-country travel is not allowed on most federal and state lands.