Stage II fire restrictions begin for Flathead County

Following hot, dry weather conditions, Stage II fire restrictions are now in place for Flathead County.

Stage II restrictions ban all open burning, including campfires, on private land and restrict vehicles to designated roads and trails. County commissioners voted in favor of the restrictions Wednesday afternoon.

The restrictions apply to any lands outside designated city limits, regardless of ownership. Fireworks are also banned.

The fire danger is currently very high due to low moisture content of grasses, brush and timber along with a longterm forecast of high temperatures with minimal precipitation.

Current conditions are weeks ahead of schedule and are more typical of what is seen in mid-August, according to Flathead Area Interagency Fire officials.

Since July 1, there have been 110 reported wildfires in the area. Some were lighting-caused, but most were human-caused, according to officials.

Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest are set to enacted the same restrictions on Friday. Stage II restrictions will also begin Friday at state fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and state parks in Flathead, Lincoln, Lake and Sanders counties due to extreme wildfire danger, according to a release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The Northern Rockies Coordination Group announced that effective Thursday the same restrictions will be in place for across southwest Montana including in Granite, Lake, Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli, Sanders and Powell counties.

Under Stage II restrictions, smoking is not allowed unless within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation site. Equipment operation involving internal combustion engines is prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed, but should be used in a area cleared of flammable material within three feet of the device. Generators with an approved spark arresting device can also be used when flammable material has been removed within three feet. Barbecue grills can also be used again provided if the area has been cleared and a water hose is nearby.

The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during periods of extreme fire danger, according to the Northern Rockies Coordination Group. Critical fire conditions of dry fuels, hot temperatures, low humidity, and high winds are expected to continue, the group stated in a release.

Campfires are also banned on Weyerhaeuser property lands in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties due to the high fire danger.

Gov. Steve Bullock on July 23 declared a fire emergency in Montana.

“Montana is facing extreme fire conditions. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of Montanans, their property, and our communities. This declaration provides additional resources to the brave men and women fighting these fires,” Bullock said of the declaration. “As firefighters battle blazes across the state, Montanans must stay vigilant about active fires in their area, obey any evacuation orders, and prevent any actions that might spark new fires.”

The declaration allows Bullock to mobilize additional state resources and the Montana National Guard to combat the fires.