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As of August 24th the Flathead area rescineded Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/flathead/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD947260

• Campfires are prohibited. Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) stoves that can be turned on and off are allowed in areas of clear flammable materials.
• Smoking is prohibited outside of vehicles, buildings, and developed recreation sites, unless in a barren area at least 3 feet in diameter.
• Operating motorized vehicles off of designated roads and trails is prohibited.
• Operating any internal combustion engine, welding, operating a torch with open flame, and using any explosive is prohibited from 1pm to 1am. A one hour patrol following cessation of work is required.

?Fire danger is currently "Very High" in the Flathead Valley, Glacier National Park and surrounding areas.
The fire danger rating is elevated for:

• Flathead County as a whole
• Flathead National Forest
• Glacier National Park
• The DNRC Swan Unit
• The DNRC Stillwater Unit
• The DNRC Kalispell Unit

With the presence of high fire danger, it's important to take precautions when recreating in the area.

• Plan ahead and prepare. Let someone know where you will be going.
• Be aware of changing weather conditions.
• Pay attention to wind and other local factors that could cause a campfire to escape.
• Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department.

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:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless noted in the exemptions below.
   EXCEPTION: Persons using a fire 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 three-feet of the device.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, 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.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibit: (Current)

1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
   EXCEPTION: Persons using a fire 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 three-feet of the device.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, 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.
3. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am:
   1. Operating any internal combustion engine.
   2. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
   3. Using an explosive.
4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

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:

• Good (green): No restrictions.
• Moderate (yellow): Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange): People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion.
• Unhealthy (red): People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion.
• Very Unhealthy (purple): Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time when air quality is better.
• Hazardous (maroon): Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.

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