Stage II fire restrictions now in place

Government agencies cracked down last week on any outside fire use and off-trail motorized use as the hot and dry weather continues in Northwest Montana and the fire danger ramped up the extreme.

Flathead County, the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, the city of Columbia Falls and all state lands have announced stage II fire restrictions.

Under stage II fire restrictions, banned are all campfires, fireworks and operating a motor vehicle off a designated road or trail, except for people engaged in a business or trade where it is required. Then the person is required to have fire extinguishing equipment readily available.

Smoking outside of a cleared area three feet in diameter is also prohibited, unless in a vehicle, building or in a developed recreation site.

“Hoot owl” restrictions are also in place, prohibiting welding, using an acetylene torch, explosives and operating a combustion engine from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Driving vehicles on roads and designated trails is allowed.

There are some exemptions — people can use barbecue grills at their homes, provided they are on a 3-foot cleared area with an overhead clearing of 6 feet and have a water hose nearby. Generators with spark arrestors in a cleared area are also allowed.

Flathead County Fire Manager Lincoln Chute said more than 230 fire calls in the county have been logged since July 1. Most were human caused.

The hot dry weather is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, the National Weather Service is warning.

The Flathead Valley has no large wildfires as of presstime. Statewide, Montana has seen 25 wildfires this season, the largest being the 270,000-plus acre Lodgepole Complex near Jordan.

The Bob Marshall Wilderness has a fire in the south end near the East Fork of Monture Creek. Several trails are closed in the area and folks are urged to check the fire status at inciweb.org for current trail closures.