HELENA – Mineral County entered Stage II fire restriction on Saturday, July 20. Stage II fire restrictions are also in place in Missoula and Ravalli counties. 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 (WMAs) managed by FWP in Mineral County, including Fish Creek WMA and state park and the following FASes: 

• Cyr Bridge  

• Upper/Middle/Lower Osprey  

• Tarkio and Tarkio East  

• Ralph’s Takeout  

• Big Pine  

• Forks  

• Quartz  

• Forest Grove  

• Big Eddy  

• Dry Creek  

• Sloway  

• St Regis  

• Natural Pier 

• St. Johns 

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 p.m. to 1 a.m.; welding or operating acetylene or other torch devices with an open flame between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.; using an explosive between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.; 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 information on fires in Montana at www.mtfireinfo.org.