U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Lewistown Field Office
Lewistown Field Office
| Contacts: | Karly Krausz 406-538-1086 |
Fire Season Has Begun in Central Montana
Fire season has officially begun in central Montana.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fire crews responded to five small fires (each less than three acres) on public lands in the past week. Although central Montana received above normal moisture this spring, the dense vegetation is now drying out quickly.
The BLM would like to remind everyone to be aware of current fire danger conditions. High temperatures, low precipitation and dry vegetation create the perfect combination for wildfire ignitions.
Although people cannot control lightning strikes, we can reduce the chance of human-caused fires. Even the smallest spark has the potential to cause significant damage, so please do your part to prevent wildland fires: crush cigarettes dead out; never leave a campfire unattended; ensure that your vehicle has a properly installed spark arrester that is operational; stop and park only in areas clear of vegetation; and observe all fire restrictions. Take precautions while recreating on public lands by always carrying a shovel, bucket and fire extinguisher. Also remember that cross country travel is not allowed on most federal and state lands.
To help ease demands on fire personnel and equipment, protect public safety, and preserve natural resources and property, please take extra precautions and honor all fire restrictions that may be in place.
For more information about potential fire restrictions and fire prevention, contact Karly Krausz, Fire Mitigation & Education Specialist, at (406) 538-1086, your county fire warden, or go to www.firerestrictions.org.
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.
Lewistown Field Office 920 NE Main Lewistown, MT 5959457