Campfires banned

Northwest Montana, which includes Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties is now in Stage 1 fire restrictions. That includes the city of Columbia Falls.

Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
2. 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

The exceptions are as follows:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off, such as a gas grill. 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.
3. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
4. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
5. All land within a city boundary is exempted. *Review local ordinances specific to jurisdiction.
6. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

The restrictions include Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, as well as Montana state lands and parks. Private timber companies like F.H. Stoltze, Stimson, Green Diamond and Southern Pines Plantations are also prohibiting campfires.

Lake County has not gone into Stage 1 at this time.