Fire restrictions in NW Montana lifted

Fire restrictions in Northwest Montana have been lifted, according to a Flathead National Forest news release. This includes all lands in Northwest Montana within Flathead and Lincoln counties, plus that portion of Lake County outside of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Lands, plus all lands administered by the Kootenai National Forest, Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. These administrative boundaries include portions of Sanders County west of Whitepine, Glacier County within Glacier National Park, Missoula County north of Summit Lake and Powell County within the Flathead National Forest.

Fire restrictions have also been lifted in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Great Bear Wilderness) lands on the Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Helena and Lolo national forests.

In Flathead County, there is no open burning on private land through the end of September. For more information about open burning in Flathead County, visit www.firesafekalispell.com.

In other counties in Northwest Montana, contact your local wildland fire protection agency for information regarding open burning.

Fire managers from the various fire organizations in Northwest Montana stress their appreciation to the public for being proactive about fire prevention and supporting the fire restrictions the past couple months.

Spokesperson Denise Germann said, "Public support for the many fire organizations, fire fighters and fire managers has been tremendous, and is greatly appreciated."

Note that other areas in the state continue with fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know what restrictions are in place and abide accordingly.