Valley County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rescind Stage I Restrictions

Stage 1 fire restrictions were rescinded on all private, state and federal lands within Valley County, and the Charles M. Russell NWR and UL Bend NWR in Fergus, Phillips, Valley, McCone, Garfield and Petroleum counties on Oct. 1.

Stage 1 fire restrictions still remain in effect on all private, state and BLM-administered lands within Blaine, Fergus, Hill, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Phillips and Wheatland counties . Under Stage 1, fires are prohibited except within developed recreation sites and smoking is allowed only in areas cleared of flammable materials. Exemptions include fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum gas or other activities for which there is a permit or written authorization.

While the recent moisture has slowed fire season, it hasn’t reversed the effects of an extremely hot, dry summer. The public is urged to be cautious when working or recreating outdoors in order to prevent human-caused fire starts. Anyone who causes a wildland fire intentionally or through negligence will be held accountable for damage and suppression costs.

Normal field activities such as off-road vehicle travel, smoking, the use of fires for warming and cooking, and even the firing of weapons can readily start fires under the right conditions. The Lewistown Area Restrictions Group includes representatives from state, county, local, tribal and federal firefighting entities and coordinates fire restrictions on federal, state and private lands in the Lewistown Fire Restrictions Area, covering north-central and extreme northeastern Montana.