News Release

MOISTURE TRIGGERS SCALE-BACK TO STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Most of National Forest land in the Northwest Zone will be moving back to stage l fire restrictions after midnight, Wednesday. Sept. 10, according to Mark Stanley, cooperative fire specialist for the Flathead National Forest.

The only exception, he noted, is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which will remain at Stage II for the immediate fixture. All fire area closures in the wilderness also remain in effect.

In addition, according to Ted Mead, deputy area manager for the Northwest Land Office of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, all state lands in the Northwest Zone also are scaling back to Stage I restrictions. The DNRC proclamation, signed by State Forester Robert A. Harrington, established Stage I restrictions on all state and private forested lands lying within the boundaries of Flathead County, Lincoln County, Lake County outside of the Flathead Indian Reservation, and a portion of Sanders County west of the community of White Pine.

The Forest Service special order, establishing the Stage I restrictions, was signed Wednesday by the forest supervisors in the northwest zone---Cathy Barbouletos for the Flathead Forest and Bob Castaneda, for the Kootenai Forest.

Stanley reminded residents that under Stage I restrictions, campfires are allowed at designated sites; fires fueled by liquid petroleum may be used anywhere on National Forest System land; "Hoot Owl" hours are no longer required; but smoking restrictions are still in effect.

The special order authorizes a campfire within the confines of a metal or concrete fire ring provided by the Forest Service for that purpose. These campfire facilities are located in developed campgrounds on both forests. Campgrounds within special fire closure areas remain closed to public access until the public safety threats from wildland fires subside. Fires within rock fire rings are specifically prohibited.