Hi-Line fire restrictions still in effect

While fire restrictions have been lifted in some parts of Montana, for the moment they still are on in most of the Havre area.

The Lewistown-Area Fire Restrictions Group that monitors fire hazards in the area announced last week that Stage 1 fire restrictions had been lifted from federal, state and private land for Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Phillips, Roosevelt and Valley counties, and for for U. S. Forest Service lands in the Little and Big Snowy Mountains and for all U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service lands within the C. M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

Fort Belknap Tribal Forestry representatives have also rescinded Stage 1 fire restrictions on all tribal lands within the Fort Belknap Reservation.

Stage I fire restrictions still remain in effect on all private, state and federal lands within Blaine, Chouteau and Hill counties until further notice, the announcement said.

Under state law, violating the restrictions can lead to a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.

That restriction, typically categorized as a warning rather than a ban, allows fires within pits or fire structures in established camp sites, in enclosed gas, propane or butane stoves, use of charcoal in metal barbecues, and fires within cabins using a spark arrestor or screen. Tiki lights are banned.