Stage 1 Fire restrictions rescinded Friday in Glacier Park, Flathead Forest

Due to the amount of precipitation received in the area, the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, and lands in Flathead County will rescind Stage I fire restrictions soon. The Park and Forest Service will rescind them on Friday at 12:01 a.m.; the remaining areas, such as state and county lands, rescind them at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

While the rain was spotty in places, most areas have received enough rain in the past few days and in addition, high temperatures have cooled considerably as well, from the 90s to close to 100 to the 70s and low 80s. 

Rain is in the forecast both Friday and Saturday. 

Many areas will continue to have fire restrictions, including: 

·       Lake County, Lincoln and Sanders counties; 

·       Green Diamond – prohibits campfires on their lands. 

·       Flathead Ridge Ranch – prohibits campfires on their lands. 

         Southern Pine Plantation of Montana – prohibits campfires on their lands in Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead Counties. 

        Stimson Private Timber Company – prohibits campfires on their lands. 

       Stoltze Timber Company – prohibits campfires on their lands. 

In areas where Stage 1 remain in place, the following are prohibited: 

1.  Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes. 

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. 

3.  Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a maintained and working spark arresting device properly installed. For chainsaw use, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum 8-ounce capacity and rating of 2A must be kept with the operator and a round point shovel at least 35 inches long must be kept readily available for use. 

4.  Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame, except in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum 8-ounce capacity and rating of 2A must be kept with the operator. 

5.  Using an explosive including but not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.