Tag Archives: fire restrictions

All fire restrictions rescinded (including Flathead County finally)

Fire Information and Status, News,

Here’s the official press release on the lifting of fire restrictions for this corner of Montana. Note that Flathead County finally got with the program yesterday . . .

Date: September 8, 2015
Contact: Lisa Osborn  , 406-295-7558
Contact: Jeff Stevenson , 406-283-7795

Northern Rockies Coordination Group Kalispell Area Interagency News Release

Libby,MT.—All Fire Restrictions will be rescinded across North West Montana.Jurisdictions include:

  • Flathead National Forest
  • Kootenai National Forest
  • Bob Marshall Wilderness Lands within the Flathead National Forest
  • Glacier National Park
  • U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service
  • MT-DNRC Northwestern Land Office
  • Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1
  • Counties:Flathead, Lake (outside of Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe), Lincoln, and Sanders

On most of the jurisdiction listed above all fire restrictions have been rescinded effective immediately. The Flathead County Commissioners will meet on Thursday to decide whether to rescind restrictions in Flathead County. [they did – editor]

Please remember that even though fire restrictions have been rescinded fire season is still active. There are many fires burning in the area so you may still see smoke and flames within fire areas. There are many fire area closures please call your local Forest Service, DNRC or county fire department office for more information. Remember that you must stay out of closure areas until the closure is lifted by the land management agency.

At this time no open burning is allowed.

As hunting season begins, land managers want to remind hunters to practice wildfire safety while enjoying the outdoors. The Kalispell area fire restrictions group isurging caution for those participating in hunting and other outdoor activities to avoid sparking a fire. Just one small spark/ember from an unattended warming fire, muzzle of a gun or a hot exhaust pipe on a vehicle can ignite the dry grass.Please refrain from building campfires/warming fires during windy or dry conditio.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to avoid sparking a wildfire:

  • Keep water nearby when welding on stands.
  • When shooting close to the ground, be sure there is no dry grass or tinder in front of your muzzle. Though rare, it’s not impossible for a shot to ignite a fire.
  • Use properly maintained spark arresters on all power equipment.
  • Never leave a campfire or warming fire unattended, even for a few minutes. Be sure to completely extinguish campfires/warming fires when ready to go.
  • Keep a bucket, a shovel and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and at your camp.
  • Be aware of area fire restrictions.
  • Be mindful of where you drive or park and stay on designated trails. Avoid parking on dry brush or grass, since your exhaust system can ignite the vegetation.

Please keep wildfire safety in mind and have a safe and memorable hunting experience.

Fire restrictions lifted in almost all areas of Northwest Montana

Fire Information and Status, News, , , ,

Pretty much all fire restrictions (Stage I and Stage II) have been rescinded in this corner of Montana except for Flathead County proper. Chances are, the Flathead County Commissioners will get around to lifting restrictions for the county on Thursday.

There is no open burning, however. That will have to wait until October, if not later.

See also: Most fire restrictions removed (Daily Inter Lake – paywall)

No fireworks for the 4th

News, ,

As expected, Flathead County has banned all fireworks displays, public and private, due to exceptionally dry conditions . . .

Flathead County has banned the use of fireworks on all public and private land located within the county’s boundaries, outside of the city limits, effective immediately.

The commission took a hard stand against fireworks on Thursday morning, removing any exemptions for previously permitted shows in the county’s jurisdiction.

With the use of fireworks banned, the Flathead Emergency Communication Center, also known as the 911 Center, has set up a separate line to report non-emergency fireworks violations.The number to that line is 260-4161, and it feeds directly into the dispatch center. Emergencies such as injuries or fires should be reported to 911. There is no automatic fine assessed for violations, according to deputy county attorney Tara Fugina; the resolution states that violations may be prosecuted under applicable statutes.

Read more . . .