KALISPELL - Interagency fire managers agreed to implement Stage II Fire Restrictions effective Monday, July 26 across the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks sites, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Kalispell, Stillwater and Swan Units and Flathead County.
The intent of Fire Restrictions is to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition. Each year, 70 to 80% of wildfires are human-caused and this summer the trend has continued. Northwest Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels and weather forecasts of high temperatures accompanied by wind, low humidity and minimal precipitation. Fires continue to burn across Montana and the West where firefighting resources are in high demand.
Know Before You Go! Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for fire restriction information across Montana.
Stage II restrictions were implemented last week for the Missoula area. Federal, State and Private jurisdictions now in Stage II restrictions include:
• Flathead National Forest lands outside the Great Bear and Bob Marshall Wilderness, in Flathead, Lake, Missoula, Lewis and Clark and Powell Counties, Montana.
• Kootenai National Forest lands in Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders Counties in Montana and Kootenai National Forest lands in Bonner and Boundary Counties in Idaho.
• Glacier National Park
• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation: Kalispell, Libby, Stillwater and Swan Units. State Land and Private Classified Forested Land within Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln Counties.
• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Region 1 within Flathead, Lake, Sanders and Lincoln Counties.
• Flathead, Lincoln, Sanders and Lake counties
• Cities of Libby and Troy
• Flathead Ridge Ranch is not allowing any fires on their lands.
• Stimson Private Timber Company is not allowing any fires on their lands. No camping is allowed unless in a specifically designated area along Fisher River. Motorized use is not allowed behind closed gates.
• F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company is not allowing fires, camping, smoking, fireworks, shooting, use of internal combustion engines or motorized vehicles on or off road (Unless on an open, public road). These restrictions began July 22. Non-motorized use is currently allowed until further notice.
• Green Diamond Resource Company lands in Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead Counties.
• SPP Montana timberlands in Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead Counties.
Please keep wildfire prevention in mind when visiting your public lands. Never park in tall, dry grass. The heat from your undercarriage and exhaust pipe can cause accidental ignition. When travelling to and from your public lands with any type of trailer ensure your chains are properly connected. Dragging chains can easily spark a wildfire.
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