https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/flathead/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD947260
?Fire danger is currently "Very High" in the Flathead Valley, Glacier National Park and surrounding areas. The fire danger rating is elevated for:
With the presence of high fire danger, it's important to take precautions when recreating in the area.
Current Fire Restrictions: City of Whitefish: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Glacier National Park: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Flathead County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Lake County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Lincoln County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Sanders County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Mineral County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Flathead National Forest: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Kootenai National Forest: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Montana DNRC Kalispell Unit: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Montana DNRC Stillwater Unit: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Montana DNRC Libby Unit: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Montana DNRC Swan Unit: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
The intent of Fire Restrictions is to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition. Each year, 70 to 80% of wildfires are human-caused and this summer the trend has continued. Northwest Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels and weather forecasts of high temperatures accompanied by wind, low humidity, and minimal precipitation. Fires continue to burn across Montana and the West where firefighting resources are in high demand.
Know what fire restrictions are currently in place. A list and map of current Montana fire restrictions can be found here: ?https://www.mtfireinfo.org/
Definitions of the different stages of fire restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Prohibit:
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibit: (Current)
More detail and additional exemptions can be found at: https://www.mtfireinfo.org/
AIR QUALITY Flathead County has an air quality monitoring station located in Columbia Falls that monitors for fine particles (smoke). Please visit http://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/ and follow the restrictions based on the air quality index. The recommendations for outdoor activity based on air quality is as follows:
An air quality monitoring map for the United States and Canada can be viewed here: https://aqicn.org/map/northamerica/
RESOURCES One Less Spark Campaign: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/one-less-spark-campaign/
Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/why/problems-we-solve/destructive-fires/
Smokey The Bear Fire Prevention: https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos
Montana Wildland Fire Restriction Info: https://www.mtfireinfo.org/
Montana Fire Information for travelers: http://travelaware.mt.gov/
Glacier National Park Webcams: http://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
Glacier National Park Recreational Access Display (RAD): http://glacierpark.info/
Explore Whitefish Webcams: https://explorewhitefish.com/webcams
Glacier County Regional Tourism: https://blog.glaciermt.com/recreate/prevent-wildland-fires/ https://blog.glaciermt.com/western-montana-wildland-fire-update/
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions