Campfires banned across Kootenai Forest, Lincoln County

Stage I fire restrictions that ban campfires and smoking will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday across the Kootenai National Forest, the Libby unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Lincoln County lands, interagency fire managers announced Friday.

Fireworks always are prohibited in state and national forests and parks, and state recreation areas.

No additional restrictions are in place in the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Lake County or the DNRC's Kalispell, Stillwater or Swan units, according to the Northern Rockies Coordination Group.

The campfire and smoking restrictions are intended to prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger by limiting potential sources of ignition. Each year, 70% to 80% of wildfires are human-caused and the trend has continued this summer, officials said.

Northwest Montana is experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels and forecasts of above-normal temperatures accompanied by low humidity, wind and minimal precipitation. There are also limited firefighting resources, as fires continue to burn across the state and the West.

The restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, except fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum that can turned on and off quickly. Such devices can be used only in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

The restrictions also ban smoking, except within enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

More information on the restrictions can be found at mtfireinfo.org.