Flathead Reservation moves to stage one fire restrictions
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Warmer-than-normal temperatures, combined with little to no rainfall this September, have made for extremely dry conditions throughout the Flathead Indian Reservation. On Aug. 5, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Fire Management implemented a stage one fire restriction for the Flathead Reservation, due to a lack of substantial rain in the upcoming forecast. Stage one is the lowest of the three stages, with only minor restrictions. If the reservation continues to remain dry into the fall, fire restrictions could eventually become stage three. If that were to happen, forest roads, trails, and access spots could be closed for public use.
According to CSKT Fire Prevention and Education Specialist Curtiss Matt, stage one restrictions prohibit the following activities within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation until further notice. This means building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site is not allowed. Smoking is also restricted, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. If smoking at a developed recreation site or anywhere, the smoker must smoke in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
The reservation is divided into east and west sections, with the dividing line running along U.S. Hwy 93. According to Matt, the west section is currently under “extreme” fire danger, while the east side, which includes Ronan, Pablo, and Polson is under “very high” fire danger.
“I can see the east side going extreme soon,” Matt said. “The forecast is showing no rain for at least five or six more days, and it’s going to be warmer than normal in the 90 degree range.”
Heavy snowfall this past winter caused record-breaking snow pack in the mountains, which then made for a very wet spring. The saturated ground helped grasses grow to more than three feet high on the western side of the reservation. With very little rainfall in the past two months, the grasses have dried and cured, making much of the area highly flammable.
“It’s quite a bit drier than usual,” Matt said. “The main factor is rainfall. We normally would be looking at the end of fire season, but there is a lot of dry growth from the wet spring that are now flash fuels.”
Matt advises those who plan on enjoying the final few weeks of outdoor summer weather, to check their surroundings before building fires, or smoking.
“People need to be careful when choosing where they camp,” he said. “Even driving motor vehicles off road can spark a fire.”
According to Matt, catalytic converters on the bottom of vehicles can reach high temperatures and ignite the dry, tall grasses.
In September, the reservation generally receives a good amount of rainfall, which snuffs out the fire danger right before winter. However, this fall is much drier than in years past, with no rain in sight. This, combined with above average temperatures, makes the fire threat even greater.
“It’s important that people remember to build fires in designated areas, and to not ignite anything if near flammable material,” Matt said.
