Northern Rockies Coordination Group
Missoula Area

For More Information Contact: Jordan Koppen
406-542-4321

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Northern Rockies
Coordination Group
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U.S. Forest Service
Lolo National Forest

U.S. Forest Service Bitterroot National Forest

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Flathead
Agency

Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Lee Metcalf Refuge and
National Bison Range

Montana DNRC Northwestern Land Office

Montana DNRC Southwestern Land Office All Units

Counties of: Missoula Mineral Ravalli Sanders Lake Portions of Powell and Granite
Stage I Fire Restrictions
In Effect July 3rd
Missoula, MT.—Stage I Fire Restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 AM on Friday, July 3rd
across west central Montana. Jurisdictions include:

Bitterroot National Forest
Lolo National Forest
Flathead Indian Reservation
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Lee Metcalf Refuge & National Bison Range)
MT-DNRC Southwestern Land Office
MT-DNRC Northwestern Land Office
Missoula Field Office Bureau of Land Management
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1 & 2
Counties: Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders and Lake
City of Missoula within open spaces and conservation lands
Property within city limits in the area are EXEMPT from this order
Portions of Granite County have not implemented restrictions at this time
Portions Powell County have not implemented restrictions at this time

Stage I fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking. This season, wildland fire agencies have
responded to well over 60 human-caused fires in the area, ranging from unattended campfires to tow
chains dragging on the highway, lawn mowers and welding equipment.

At Stage I, campfires are prohibited on State and Federal lands. A campfire is defined as
“Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire” unless noted in exemption.

Lists of federal and state sites exempted from Stage I, and county-specific conditions under which
campfires are allowed will be distributed when available to the public via www.firerestrictions.us,
media outlets, and posted at agency offices and fire departments. Signs will be posted in the
field.

In addition to the campfire restrictions, smoking is prohibited unless within an enclosed vehicle,
building, or in an area 3 feet in diameter, that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

These restrictions apply to any lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership.
The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant long-term change in fire
danger.