campfires

Campfires could be a problem.

The Missoula County Fire Protection Agency has raised the fire danger level from ‘Moderate’ to ‘High’, as of noon on Monday, July 16.

Campfire restrictions take effect Thursday.

Ravalli County and Bitterroot Forest limiting campfires.

Hot temperatures are drying out grasses and forests, and fire danger is increasing.

Recent hot and dry weather along with afternoon thunderstorms and frequent lightning, prompted fire management officials this week to implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

The City of Missoula will join other West Central Montana fire agencies in enacting Stage I fire restrictions early Thursday morning.

Monday morning, based on current and expected weather conditions, fire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) agreed to move the fire danger in Missoula County to "Very High" starting  at midnight on July 29.

Missoula fire officials have lowered the fire danger by one level from extreme to very high. Stage One fire restrictions remain in effect. No campfires outside established fire rings and there are also restrictions on smoking outside. It's going to be very imporant to take care to make sure your campfires are all the way out when you break camp...

Most of West Central Montana is under Stage One fire restrictions. Fire danger is at the Extreme level.  It’s not the time of year to be careless with fire.