Interagency Press Release
| Contacts: | Ann Boucher | |||
| 406-896-5255 |
Fire Restrictions in South Central Montana
Carbon County will rescind all fire restrictions at 12:01 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 18. Stage 1 restrictions continue on all private, state, and federal lands in Big Horn, Musselshell, Stillwater, Sweet Grass and Treasure counties. Yellowstone County and Beartooth Ranger District of the Custer National Forest have already rescinded all fire restrictions.
Under Stage 1, campfires are generally prohibited and smoking is allowed only within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in an area 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. Campfires may be allowed in certain developed areas. Check locally for more information.
Some counties may require a permit for agricultural burning. Contact your local fire department or sheriff’s office for more information and to obtain any necessary permits.
Hunters and other recreationists are reminded to remain cautious.
“It’s still very dry and it wouldn’t take much to start a fire,” said Bob Gibson of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “Keep your vehicle on the road and away from tall grass.”
Anyone who causes a wildland fire intentionally or through negligence will be held accountable for damage and suppression costs.
In burned areas, also be aware of loose soils and the potential for fire-weakened trees to fall.
Go to http://firerestrictions.us/ for more details and information on other area fire restrictions.
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.