News Release

Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
Areas Move To Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

In the wake of recent rainfall, and just in time for the opening of early rifle hunting season, the Spotted Bear Ranger District is reducing fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 in the Flathead National Forest portion of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

This change in fire restrictions is effective Saturday, September 13, 2003.

"We are pretty confident about our fire situation going into the early rifle hunting season in the wilderness, thanks to over an inch of rain," said Deb Mucklow, District Ranger for the Spotted Bear Ranger District. "Hunters will still need to exercise caution with campfires and smoking."

Stage 1 restriction means campfires are still prohibited, except in developed and improved sites. In the Bob Marshall Wilderness portion of the Spotted Bear and Hungry Horse Ranger District, camp fires, stove fires and charcoal fires are allowed in outfitter base camps having special use permits.

Wood stoves may be used in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex if a permit for their use is obtained. These permits may be obtained at any Forest Service office around the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The Lolo, Helena, and Flathead National Forests require this permit; the Lewis and Clark National Forest does not. All four of these National Forests are simultaneously going to Stage 1 fire restrictions for their wilderness areas.

Fires fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels may be used anywhere in National Forest System lands under Stage 1 restrictions.

Smoking outside under Stage 1 restrictions is permitted in a cleared area comprising a barren space of at least three feet in diameter.

For more information, please call the Spotted Bear Ranger Station at (406) 758-5376.

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