Boating restrictions in place near Flathead Lake wildfire

Due to the state of emergency that exists on the Flathead Reservation as a result of the threat of extreme fire weather and upon advice from the Incident Management Team of the Boulder 2700 Fire to ensure public and firefighter safety, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes has passed Resolution 21-100, which is a temporary emergency closure on a portion of Flathead Lake.

A temporary boating restriction is in effect on Flathead Lake at Skidoo Bay adjacent to the Boulder 2700 Fire within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The closed portion is described as Boulder Creek to Station Creek beginning at the shore and extending half a mile out into Flathead Lake. This is located on the east shore of Flathead Lake. Buoys will be placed out on the lake to designate the restriction zone.

Similar to a temporary flight restriction for aircraft, the boating restriction creates a no-public-boating zone on the surface water in order to ensure public and firefighter safety during wildfire response.

It is necessary for all persons on the Reservation utilizing any type of marine watercraft, whether it be motorized or non-motorized or personal flotation device, to adhere to the emergency closure.

This restriction is necessary to reduce the possibility of members of the public from unsafely accessing the interior of the fire perimeter with watercraft and to facilitate the effective and safe usage of aviation resources in proximity to the fire. The safety of the public and firefighters, including fire aircraft and pilots is the highest priority.

Aircraft including helicopters with buckets and fixed wing water scoopers utilize the lake as a source of water. Remember to stay out of the way of any aircraft needing to dip or scoop water from the lake when boating. The larger fixed-wing water scooper airplanes may at times also need to use a larger section of the lake.

All of the partners responding to and working to suppress the Boulder 2700 Fire appreciate the public’s cooperation to adhere to this temporary boating restriction. For additional information and daily fire updates, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7754 and follow the CSKT Division of Fire’s Facebook page.