Missoula County Sets Stage II Fire Restrictions

The Missoula County Commissioners have set fire restrictions for Missoula County, according to a press release sent out Thursday afternoon. The restrictions were implemented after a vote on Thursday morning and will go into effect at 12:01 am Friday, July 19.

Yesterday, Missoula County announced via a Facebook post that fire officials had raised the fire danger to "extreme", noting that Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests had also raised fire danger to "extreme."

The restrictions apply to private land outside of city limits and include common activities like using lawnmowers or smoking. From the press release, these are the specific activities that are prohibited.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire.

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 cleared of flammable materials.

Operating lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws and other internal combustion engines from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Welding or operating acetylene or other torch devices with an open flame between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Using an explosive between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Operating motor vehicles off designated roads and trails, with exceptions for those carrying out official business related to the function of governmental agencies and public utilities.

Violations could lead to misdemeanor charges, liability for costs to fight the fire, and civil damages.

In a press release from Anna Bateson, Fire Public Affairs Specialist with the Lolo National Forest, Stage I and Stage II Restrictions were confirmed for most Missoula Restrictions Areas, noting the hot and dry conditions as one of the factors that contributed to the conditions. Those areas include:

• Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests
• Flathead Indian Reservation (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes)
• BLM Lands
• Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Fishing Access Sites
• State Parks
• Wildlife Management Areas
• Montana State trust lands
• "forested" private property

These restrictions will also go into effect on July 19. Full restrictions are available at MTFireInfo.org.

The Miller Peak Fire has now grown to over 2,000 acres and the Beacon Hill Fire ignited west of St. Regis. A fire in East Missoula that ignited Wednesday night is now considered under control.

LATEST WESTERN MONTANA WILDFIRE COVERAGE:

• Latest Details from the Miller Peak Fire Public Information Officer
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