Stage II fire restrictions begin

All areas in the Northwest Zone Fire Management Area are set to enter Stage II fire restrictions on Thursday, Aug. 16.

This includes the Flathead National Forest, Flathead County, Department of Natural Resources Kalispell, Libby and Plains units, the Kootenai National Forest, and Lincoln, Sanders and Lake counties.

Whitefish Fire Chief Joe Page on Tuesday declared the city under Stage II restrictions also begining on Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

Glacier National Park entered Stage II restrictions on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Multiple lightning strikes across the fire area were recorded on Saturday, Aug. 11 with confirmed fires across the area, thus prompting the restrictions according to a release from the Northwest Zone Interagency Fire Coordination Group.

Fire danger in western Montana is “Extreme” and will likely remain so for a while, according to fire officials.

Under Stage II restrictions, campfires and other fires are prohibited everywhere. Smoking is prohibited outside of vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites unless in a 3-foot diameter cleared area. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails is prohibited. Operating any internal combustion engine, welding, operating a torch with open flame is prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. is also implementing is also implementing Stage II restrictions on its property, but is also prohibiting camping, smoking, use of any internal combustion engines and use of motorized vehicles on or off road unless on an open public road.

For more information on fire restrictions, visit https://firerestrictions.us/mt/.