The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has issued a press release:
HELENA, Mont. – Stage 1 Restrictions have been put in place by interagency fire management officials in central Montana, covering the entire Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest as well as Liberty, Glacier, Toole, Teton, Glacier, Meagher, and Jefferson counties. These restrictions aim to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during periods of high fire danger and burn conditions.
The restrictions apply to private lands, state lands managed by Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (MT DNRC) and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), federal lands under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Tribal lands under the Blackfeet Nation in the listed counties.
Fire restrictions can vary by jurisdiction and may change rapidly. It is advisable to contact the relevant managing agency for your area to confirm permitted activities. It is crucial to be informed before engaging in any activities. For more information, visit MtFireInfo.org.
STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The Following Acts Are Prohibited Until Further Notice:
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Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless as noted in the exemptions below.
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Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Stage 1 Exemptions:
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Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
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Persons using a device 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 materials within three feet of the device.
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Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
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Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
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All land within a city boundary is exempted.
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Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.
Various factors are considered by fire professionals when deciding on the implementation and removal of fire restrictions. These factors include the number of human-caused fires, fire danger ratings, weather conditions, fuel moisture, availability of firefighting resources, and the potential threat to firefighter and public safety.
