Lake County under Stage II fire restrictions

Interagency fire managers last week implemented Stage II fire restrictions across Lake and Sanders counties, effective Saturday, July 17. Northwest Montana is experiencing drought conditions, including extremely dry forest fuels; forecasts of temperatures above normal accompanied by low humidity, wind and minimal precipitation; and competition for firefighting resources, as fires continue to burn across Montana and the West.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials; and operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Additionally, operating an internal combustion engine, welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame, and use of explosives are prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Outside of those hours, a one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of all activities. Lincoln County, which also entered Stage II restrictions Friday, requires a two-hour foot patrol.

Federal, state and private jurisdictions under Stage II restrictions are: Lake, Sanders and Lincoln counties; Kootenai National Forest lands in Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties, and Kootenai National Forest lands in Bonner and Boundary counties in Idaho; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Libby Unit; State land and private classified forested land within Sanders and Lincoln counties; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Region 1 within Sanders and Lincoln counties; Green Diamond Resource Co. lands in Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead counties; and Southern Pine Plantation of Montana Industrial Timberlands in Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead counties.

Flathead Ridge Ranch is not allowing any fires on their lands, nor are Stimson Private Timber Co. and F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.

Stage I fire restrictions are in effect across the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Kalispell, Stillwater and Swan units, and Flathead County.

Stage I fire restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire unless noted within exempted areas.

Exceptions to the restrictions include: persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off — such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device; persons using a stove fire with spark arrestor within the boundaries of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Great Bear Wilderness.

Campfires are permitted in exempted developed recreation areas on the Flathead National Forest within metal or concrete fire rings. Fires within rock fire rings are not authorized and are not exempted.

Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

The following is a list of exempted sites within the area with Stage I restrictions where fires within fire rock rings are permitted:

Swan Lake Ranger District

• Blair Flats Dispersed Site
• Holland Lake Lodge, Campground and Day Use
• Lindbergh Lake Campground and Day Use
• Mission Lookout Rental Cabin
• Owl Creek Packer Camp & Rental Cabin
• Swan Lake Campground and Day Use
• Pine Ridge Dispersed Site
• Old Condon Ranger Station Rental Cabin
• Swan River Dispersed site
• Swan Guard Station Rental Cabin
• Van Lake Dispersed site

Tally Lake Ranger District

• Tally Lake Campground
• Sylvia Lake Campground
• Ashley Lake North Campground
• Ashley Lake South Campground
• Ashley Lake Boat Launch
• Star Meadow Cabin
• Upper Stillwater Lake Campground

Spotted Bear Ranger District

• Beaver Creek Campground
• Bunker Park Camping Area
• Meadow Creek Host Site
• Peters Creek Campground
• South Creek Trailhead
• Spotted Bear Campground and Landing Strip
• Diamond R Guest Ranch
• Schafer Meadows
• Spotted Bear Guest Ranch
• Wilderness Lodge

Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District

• Big Creek Campground and Day Use
• Devil Creek Campground
• Devil's Corkscrew Campground
• Doris Boat Launch and Campground
• Elk Island Campground
• Emery Bay Campground
• Fire Island Campground
• Ford Rental Cabin
• Graves Creek Campground (creek side only)
• Great Northern Flats
• Lakeview Campground
• Lid Creek Campground
• Lost Johnny Camp
• Lost Johnny Point Campground
• Moose Lake Campground
• Murray Bay Campground
• North and South Lion Lake Picnic Areas
• Red Meadow Campground
• Riverside Boat Ramp and Campground
• Ben Rover Rental Cabin
• Schnaus Rental Cabin
• Tuchuck Campground
• Wurtz Rental Cabin
• Zip's Place Rental Cabin