Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will go into effect Saturday

Flathead and Sanders counties will move to stage 2 fire restrictions beginning Saturday, Aug. 5.

Lake County and the Flathead Reservation implemented stage 2 rules on Tuesday.

The restrictions will affect Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks jurisdictions within the counties, as well as the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park.

Stage 2 rules prohibit campfires and smoking except within a vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area clear of flammable material. Taking vehicles off-road is also prohibited.

Operating an internal combustion engine, welding or using explosives is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The Stage 2 restrictions will not go into place in Columbia Falls City limits, as it would restrict the use of lawnmowers and other equipment that is working in irrigated lawns anyway, fire chief Karl Weeks noted.

Campfires and other open flames, like charcoal grills are still restricted in the city limits under Stage 1 Fire restrictions.

Wildfire managers said the restrictions are intended to minimize human ignition sources to better allow firefighters to focus on naturally caused fires.

For more information on fire restrictions, visit www.MTFireInfo.org.