No fires allowed on any FWP property in these counties, including in steel grates
HAVRE- In response to dry, warm weather that could increase the danger of human-caused wildfires, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fishing access sites and wildlife management areas will be under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Hill County in Region 6, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning, Sept. 16. Hill joins Phillips County, that has been in Stage 1 since August. The restrictions will be in effect until further notice.
Region 6 FWP followed the lead of Hill County officials who announced this week that they are entering Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. These restrictions ban campfires except where specifically exempted. Landowners and agencies in those counties may or may not exempt specific sites. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions also prohibit smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, and in areas at least three feet in diameter that are cleared of all flammable materials. People still may cook on an LP gas or propane stove that can be turned on and off.
Per FWP policy, no fires will be allowed, even in steel grates, at any fishing access site (FAS) or wildlife management areas (WMA) in Hill or Phillips County in Region 6.
Campfires, normally allowed, are prohibited at the following sites:
- Bear Paw FAS, Hill Co.
- Baily Reservoir FAS, Hill Co.
- Fresno Tailwater FAS, Hill Co.
- Cole Ponds FAS, Phillips Co.
- Bjornberg Bridge FAS, Phillips Co.
Open fires are already prohibited year-round at the following sites:
- Rookery WMA, Hill Co.
- Lost River WMA, Hill Co.
- Alkali Creek FAS, Phillips Co.
- Cree Crossing, Sleeping Buffalo, and Dodson Dam WMAs, Phillips Co.
For updates on restrictions and closures around the state, go to fwp.mt.gov, and under the “News and Public Notices” tab, click on “Closures and Restrictions” or go to www.mtfireinfo.org.
Block Management Areas in fire restrictions
Private landowners with land enrolled in Block Management Areas (BMAs) or other private land access programs may also have restrictions or closures. Be sure to ask when securing permission on any private land. Currently, there are several BMAs in Region 6 with closures, including:
- Blaine County: #10-Williamson Ranch, #181-Biebinger Ranch, #183- BKB Ranch, and #187-Wine Cup
- Choteau County: #6-Mack Ranch
- Hill County: #3-Phalen Ranch
These closures could change daily. BMAs fire restrictions and closures will be updated as changes occur at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement/restrictions with changes shown on the Hunt Planner Map on the FWP website as well. The FWP Region 6 Facebook page will be updated daily as changes occur.
Help Prevent Fires
To help prevent fires, hunters and other recreationists should:
- Drive only on established roads.
- Avoid roads with tall vegetation in the middle track.
- Never park over dry grass and other vegetation (but make sure to pull off the road!)
- Carry a fire extinguisher—or water-filled weed sprayer—bucket, shovel, axe, and a cell phone for emergency calls.
- Restrict camping activities to designated camping areas.
- Build campfires only in established metal fire rings, if allowed (note restrictions).
- Smoke only inside buildings or vehicles.
- Check on any fire restrictions in place.
