Stage_2_Fire_Restrictions.pdf

Northern Rockies Coordination Group Kalispell Area

For More Information Contact:

Lisa Osborn at 406-295-7558

Jeff Stevenson at 406-283-7795

Northern Rockies

Coordination Group

U.S. Forest Service

Flathead National Forest

U.S. Forest Service Kootenai National Forest

National Park Service Glacier National Park

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service

Montana DNRC:Northwestern

Land Office

Counties of:

Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Sanders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Libby, MT.—Stage II Fire Restrictions will go into effect at 0001 am o n T h u r s d a y t h e 2 0 t h o f A u g u s t 2 0 1 5 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

Stage 2 restrictions:

1. Prohibit any open burning, including campfires.

2. Smoking is allowed only in areas cleared of all flammable materials.

3. Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads and trails.

4. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am:

a. Operating an internal combustion engine- i.e. chainsaws and other equipment.

b. Blasting, welding, or other activities that generate flame or flammable material.

c. A patrol is required for one hour following cessation of all work as described in a. or b.

Exemptions include fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG, or other activities for which there is a permit or written authorization.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

These restrictions apply to any lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership. The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant long-term change in fire danger.

The smallest spark has the potential to cause significant damage, so always crush smokes dead out; never leave a campfire unattended; ensure that your vehicle has a properly installed spark arrester that is operational; stop and park only in areas clear of vegetation;

and observe all fire restrictions. Take precautions, but always be prepared: carry a shovel, bucket and fire extinguisher. Also remember that cross country travel is not allowed on most federal and state lands.

There are many large fires burning throughout the area and firefighting resources are stretched thin. On the Kootenai National Forest there are at least 51 active fires since last week. The Northeast Kootenai Complex is the largest fire and it is made up of several fires on the Rexford / Fortine Ranger Districts. At this time it is over 2400 acres and is being managed by a Type 2 fire management team. Currently there are 30 known fires burning on the Flathead National Forest originating from a series of lightning storms passing over the area August 12-14th. An additional fire, the Thompson Divide Complex, is under a Type 2 Team that is being managed with Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest.

Stage II Fire

Restrictions Go into

Effect on August 20, 2015