New restrictions on building a campfire or smoking on public lands start Monday across new portions of northwestern Montana.
The Stage II fire restrictions will take effect as the state faces a severe drought, continued forecast for hot, dry weather and firefighting resources stretched thin across the western U.S.
Beth Pargman is with the Flathead National Forest:
“It’s important for folks recreating on public lands to do their part. Each year, 70-80 percent of wildfires are human-caused, and anything that we can have the public’s help in doing to prevent those human starts is greatly appreciated.”
Earlier this month Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a wildland fire state of emergency in Montana. In that announcement, Gianforte said about 78 percent of the wildfires that had burned over 141,000 acres in the state at that time were human-caused.
Granite Pass Complex grows to 1,645 acres
inciweb
and last updated 2021-07-18 18:12:18-04
The Granite Pass Complex of fires near the Lolo Pass area has grown to 1,645 acres, according to a Sunday afternoon update on InciWeb.
Planned actions for Sunday included assessing and preparing infrastructure along the Highway 12 corridor and developing a traffic control plan for the highway, as well as scouting and developing contingency plans.
An evacuation warning from the Idaho border to Lolo Hot Springs remains in effect. Residents and visitors in the area should stay vigilant and be ready to immediately leave the area if an evacuation order is issued. Anyone traveling along Highway 12 is asked not to stop.
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