UPDATED: Rain eases fire danger and restrictions, but risk remains (2024)

Fire restrictions were lifted across Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral counties on Wednesday, as well as on both the Bitterroot and Lolo national forests that envelop much of those counties, after precipitation in the area somewhat eased wildfire danger.

Stage-2 fire restrictions, which prohibit campfires in all circ*mstances, as well as other activities like driving off roads, using welding machines or torches, or operating devices with internal-combustion engines, had been in effect since mid-July.

Stage-2 restrictions remained in effect for Granite and Powell counties.

Less prohibitive Stage-1 restrictions, which allow campfires in fire rings at developed recreation sites, were put in place on the Flathead Reservation and across Lake and Sanders counties.

Portions of the Lolo and Bitterroot national forests in those counties were exempt from restrictions.

However, Stage-1 restrictions were also put in place in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and the Scapegoat Wilderness. Those restrictions are in effect even on portions of those wilderness areas that overlap with forests that removed their restrictions.

"Recent storms have brought much-needed rainfall to the Missoula area, prompting modifications to some fire use restrictions," the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group, an interagency wildfire entity under the National Interagency Fire Center, stated Wednesday afternoon. "While the threat of wildfire remains throughout, conditions vary across the area leading to a patchwork of fire restrictions."

The group reiterated: "Restrictions vary by jurisdiction, so it is important for residents and visitors to check MTFireInfo.org before heading outdoors for the most up-to-date information on fire restrictions in effect throughout Montana."

More than 76% of the 295 wildfires so far this year in the Missoula area were ignited by humans, the group stated.

The move came two days after wildfire danger on the Lolo National Forest decreased to "high," the third of five levels, after about three weeks of "extreme" danger.

The change, announced by forest officials Monday, was due to "cooler temperatures and precipitation that occurred last weekend across the forest."

But, the Forest Service cautioned, "Even though the fire danger has been lowered, the risk of fire remains high.

"Fires can easily start from accidental causes, especially in grassland areas where fire can burn quickly and spread rapidly on windy days."

Fire dangeracross the region had been "extreme" — the most severe level — with Stage-2 restrictions since mid-July. During that time, the region baked under excessive heat with no precipitation. The string of consecutive days with daily high temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit was the third-longest on record, and many days topped 100 degrees.

Restriction details

Stage 2 is the more restrictive of two sets of mostly standardized prohibitions that land-management agencies often place on lands under their jurisdiction during periods of extreme fire danger.

Stage-2 restrictions prohibit "building, maintaining, attending or using" any type of fire or campfire at any time, even in designated fire rings at developed sites. Stoves with open flames are also generally prohibited. (Liquid-gas fueled stoves that can be switched off are allowed.)