Lincoln County FireSafe Council

STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT

Lincoln County and the Kootenai National Forest on Wednesday both announced fire restrictions to begin midnight Thursday due to fire danger the county described as very high to extreme.

Fire Restrictions - Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or whilestopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammablematerials.
3. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:

Operating any internal combustion engine.
Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Using an explosive.

A one hour foot patrol in the work area is required followingcessation of all activities as identified in #3 above.
4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
Exemptions:

• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
• Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on andoff. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead andsurrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
• Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle orbuilding or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammablematerials within three feet of the generator.
• Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.
• Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specificallyauthorized by written posted notice.
• Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force inthe performance of an official duty.
• All land within a city boundary is exempted.
• Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

Violations:
You could be fined up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 for an organization and imprisonment upto 6 months for violating restrictions and closures.
You can be held liable for all suppression costs and damages if you start a fire.