Stage 1 Restrictions in effect

Dangerous fire conditions that have created eight different fires on four days prompted Stillwater County authorities to keep Stage 1 Fire Restrictions into effect.
Five of the fires are believed to have been sparked by lightning, one was started with fireworks, one by a car fire and one by a landowner trying to clear a clogged irrigation ditch.
The lightning-caused fires occurred despite more than an inch of rain that has fallen so far in July, which is double the normal amount for this point in the month, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Not helping matters were highs of 92 degrees and 95 degrees last Saturday and Sunday, along with strong wind that brought in a cool front.
Prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are the following:
•Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreational site, fire ring or improved site.
•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 and cleared of all flammable materials.
Exemptions from Stage 1 Restrictions are as follows:
•Using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren and cleared of all flammable materials.
•Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force within a city boundary (Columbus is exempt).
•All land within a city boundary.
•Other exemptions unique to each agency.
The restrictions were enacted last Friday morning, July 8, through a Stillwater County Commission resolution upon the request of the county Fire Warden and fire chiefs of local fire departments based on current conditions. Stillwater County works with the Billings Area Restrictions Group, represented by the Custer National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the counties of Stillwater, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Carbon, Sweet Grass, Treasure and MusselShell.
Also in effect are Stage 1 Restrictions on all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks land within Stillwater County. Stage 1 restrictions ban campfires except where specifically exempted, and allow smoking only in vehicles and areas three feet in diameter that are cleared of flammable materials. FWP has no exemptions for campfires in fishing access sites and wildlife management areas in south central Montana.
People still may cook on an LP gas or propane stove that can be turned on and off. The restrictions are in effect until further notice.