Montana State Office
| Contacts: | Contact Ann Boucher |
Carbon and Musselshell Counties to Enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect in Carbon and Musselshell counties at noon on Mon., Aug. 2. The restrictions apply on all private, state and federal lands except the Beartooth District of the Custer National Forest. Treasure County has been under Stage 1 restrictions since July 23.
“The lush spring growth is drying out and it’s ready to burn,” said Heather O’Hanlon, fire mitigation and education specialist for the Bureau of Land Management. “It doesn’t take much to make a fire start, so we’re asking people to be cautious.”
Under Stage 1, campfires are prohibited except within developed recreation sites that specifically authorize them. Smoking is allowed only 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. Camp stoves fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off are exempted from the restriction as long as they are used in an area that is clear of overhead and surrounding flammable materials.
Fire is a danger even in areas not under restrictions. Be prepared. Keep campfires small and make sure they are dead out before you leave. Keep a shovel and a bucket handy. Drive only on established roads and trails and park in areas clear of vegetation.
Some counties may require a permit for agricultural burning. Contact the local fire department or sheriff’s office for more information.
Take extra caution when working and recreating outdoors to prevent wildland fire starts. Anyone who causes a wildland fire intentionally or through negligence will be held accountable for damage and suppression costs.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Montana State Office 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101