Stage 1 fire restrictions for South Central Montana
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Long, hot summer days and continuing drought are causing grasses, shrubs and trees to dry out across South Central Montana. The resulting increased fire danger has prompted authorities to begin implementing fire restrictions across the region.
Carbon County instituted Stage 1 fire restrictions on July 1. Yellowstone County began Stage 1 restrictions on July 5. Big Horn, Musselshell, Stillwater and Treasure counties will go into Stage 1 restrictions on Friday, July 8. In cooperation with the counties, all Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) lands within these counties will also be placed in appropriate Stage 1 restrictions.
Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking. Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, fire ring or improved site.
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.
Exemptions to the above Stage 1 prohibitions include the following:
Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
All land within a city boundary is exempted.
Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe/jurisdiction.
Sweet Grass County implemented an open burning ban on June 21. All these restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant change in fire danger.
Fireworks are prohibited on state and federal lands. Exploding targets available for sale to recreational shooters are also considered a pyrotechnic product and are included under these restrictions.
Any individual who causes a wildland fire intentionally or through negligence will be held accountable for damage and suppression costs.
For additional information on fire restrictions, visit the fire restrictions website at www.firerestrictions.us.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.