Madison and Beaverhead Counties Under Stage II Fire Restrictions

Beaverhead and Madison counties entered State II fire restrictions earlier today. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks follows the counties’ lead in placing fire restrictions on its properties within each county.

These restrictions are in place for all fishing access sites (FAS), state parks and wildlife management areas (WMA) managed by FWP in Beaverhead and Madison counties.

FWP properties in Beaverhead County include:

• Blacktail WMA, Robb-Ledford WMA, Poindexter Slough FAS, Henneberry FAS, Maidenrock FAS, Salmon Fly FAS, Corrals FAS, George Grant Memorial FAS, Glen FAS, Greenwood Bottoms FAS, High Bridge FAS, Kalsta Bridge FAS, Bannack State Park, Clark’s Lookout SP, Grasshopper FAS, Pipe Organ FAS, Blacktail Meadows FAS, and Selway Park FAS.

FWP properties in Madison County include:

• Wall Creek WMA, Bear Creek WMA, Varney Bridge FAS, Harrison Lake FAS, Meadow Lake FAS, Parrot Castle FAS, Cardwell Bridge FAS, Raynolds’ Pass FAS, Silver Star FAS, Valley Garden FAS, Hell’s Canyon FAS, Ruby Dam FAS, Vigilante FAS, Alder Bridge FAS, Ruby Island FA, Silver Springs Bridge FAS, Brownes Bridge FAS, Burnt Tree Hole FA, McAtee Bridge FAS, Lyons Bridge FAS, Eight Mile Ford FAS, Ennis FAS, Kountz Bridge FAS, Tony Schoonen FAS, Beaverhead Rock State Park, Three Dollar Bridge FAS, and Damselfly FAS.

Stage II fire restrictions include those put in place under Stage I restrictions, which prohibit maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire at FWP sites; smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of flammable materials. Recreationists may cook on a liquid petroleum gas or propane stove that can be turned on and off.

Stage II restrictions also prohibit operating lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws and other internal combustion engines from 1 PM to 1 AM; welding or operating acetylene or other torch devices with an open flame between 1 PM and 1 AM; using an explosive between 1 PM and 1 AM; and operating motor vehicles off designated roads and trails, with exceptions for those carrying out official business related to the function of governmental agencies and public utilities.

These restrictions at FWP sites will be in place until further notice. Due to dry conditions and high fire danger FWP urges people to use caution while they are out recreating.

Learn more about wildfire prevention and the latest info on fires in Montana at http://www.mtfireinfo.org.