CHINOOK, Mont. (NMB) – Blaine County has become the latest jurisdiction on the Hi-Line to increase fire restrictions due to the ongoing drought.
The County Commission says that as of Friday morning at 12:01 AM, they will be in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
Stage 1 restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire. They also ban smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Exemptions include:
- Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the prohibited act
- Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of device
- Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice
- Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty
- Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe
All counties that border Blaine County are already in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
