Stage I fire restrictions announced

Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect last Saturday, July 22, within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation, fire management officials said, as the area continues to be under a heat wave with little or no rain in the forecast.

Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking.

Specifically, at Stage 1, campfires and use of charcoal briquettes will only be allowed in developed recreation sites or campgrounds. The public can continue to use gas stoves fueled solely by liquid fuel or LPG fuels outside of developed recreation sites during Stage 1 restrictions.

Fire officials note that human-caused fires accounted for more than 40 percent of the wildfires in the Western U.S. in the last few years.

"Over the last week we've had 14 human-caused fires and 12 of these were caused by abandoned campfires," said Tony Harwood, Fire Management Officer for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Several of these campfires were built outside of designated recreation areas, according to Harwood.

Harwood said folk should only build campfires within designated recreation sites, smoke only within a vehicle or building, never leave a fire unattended, and put your fire dead out every time you leave, and even if you are sleeping in a tent nearby.

In addition to the campfire restrictions, smoking is prohibited except within buildings, enclosed vehicles, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials for at least three feet in diameter.

Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to all forested and range lands on the Flathead Indian Reservation and will remain in effect until there is a long term change in the weather. These restrictions are part of a coordinated effort in the West/Central Montana area.

These restrictions apply to any lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership.

Fire danger across western Montana is above average for this time of year. Fire management officials are hopeful that by initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions there will be fewer preventable person-caused wildland fires. The Tribal Division of Fire managers will continue to monitor fire conditions to determine if or when Stage II fire restrictions are necessary.

For more information regarding wildland fire safety, campfires, and fire restrictions, please contact Curtis Matt at Tribal Division of Fire at 676-2550 or Germaine White at 883-2888 ext 7299.