Submitted by
Willie Sykes
Kootenai National Forest officials have decided to raise fire restriction across the forest to Stage II Fire Restrictions from Stage I. Hot and dry conditions persists in the local area with ‘VERY HIGH’ fire danger.
On Friday, August 4 at 0001 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, the Kootenai Forest will enter to Stage II Fire Restrictions. All other participating agencies (federal, state, county, and private industry) in the Northwest Zone have already gone to Stage II Restrictions.
Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect until further notice. Under Stage II Fire Restrictions the following acts are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire. Fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG (i.e. propane) fuels, that can be turned on and off, may be used anywhere on National Forest System lands during Stage II Fire Restrictions providing the area is barren and cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within three (3) feet of the device.
- Smoking exception: Only within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- The following acts are prohibited from the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:
- Operating an Internal Combustion Engine
- Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame
- Using an explosive.
A patrol is required for one hour following cessation of all activities as identified in #3 above.
Initial attack has been successful at keeping fires relatively small this fire season. Temperatures will continue to be hot and dry over the coming days as fire season could be a prolonged one.
The single, overriding priority is the protection of human life, both that of firefighters and the public. Safety comes first, every time.
For current fire restrictions please visit www.firerestrictions.us
