Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect in Lake County and tribal lands

MISSOULA — Stage I fire restrictions went into effect Aug. 5 for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal, tribal trust and tribal fee lands within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation, Lake County private lands outside of city limits and all State lands throughout Lake County. 

Factors influencing this decision include persistent high numbers of human-caused wildfires (75-80% throughout area); low fire suppression resource availability at the area and regional level; continued hot and dry weather pattern; near drought conditions and very high to extreme fire danger across the area. Restrictions are intended to minimize wildland fire ignitions from human caused sources.

Under Stage I restrictions, the following acts are prohibited until rescinded:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

• Operating motorized vehicles off designed roads and trails.

Exemptions under which Stage I restrictions DO NOT APPLY:

1. Persons with written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

2. Persons using a fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG that can be turned on and off.

3. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

4. Any Federal, State or local officer, member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

5. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe (i.e., cultural fires, tanning, sweats, etc.)

6. All land within a city boundary is exempt.

The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant long-term change in fire danger and orders are rescinded. For more information regarding fire restrictions throughout Montana visitwww.MTFireInfo.org. Agency-specific orders are provided on the site.

It is the responsibility of each of us to “Know Before You Go!”