Here we go again. Note that the fire danger in Flathead County is rated at Very High. From the official press release . . .
Northern Rockies Coordination Group 
Northwest Montana Area
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2021
Fire Restrictions Updated for NW Montana
Kalispell, MT, July 15, 2021 — Interagency fire managers agreed to implement Stage I Fire Restrictions that will go into effect at 12:01am Saturday, July 17th, 2021 across the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Kalispell, Stillwater, and Swan Units, and Flathead County.
Interagency fire managers are implementing Stage II Fire Restrictions that will go into effect at 12:01am Saturday, July 17th, 2021 across the Kootenai National Forest, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Libby Unit, Sanders and Lake County lands.
Interagency fire managers are implementing Stage II Fire Restrictions that will go into effect at 12:00am Friday, July 16th, 2021 across Lincoln County lands.
The intent of Fire Restrictions is to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition. Each year, 70 to 80% of wildfires are human-caused and this summer the trend has continued. Northwest Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels; forecasts of temperatures above normal accompanied by low humidity, wind, and minimal precipitation; and competition for firefighting resources, as fires continue to burn across Montana and the West.
Please refer to the appropriate Fire Restrictions Order for the land you are visiting for a complete list of what is and isn’t allowed.
Federal, State, and Private jurisdictions under Stage I restrictions are:
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- Flathead National Forest including the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, in Flathead, Lake, Missoula, Lewis and Clark, and Powell Counties, Montana.
- Glacier National Park. Front Country Campgrounds are exempted from the Stage I campfire restrictions.
- Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Kalispell, Stillwater, and Swan Units. State Land & Private Classified Forested Land within Flathead County.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Region 1 within Flathead County.
- Flathead County
Stage I Fire Restrictions Prohibit:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire unless noted within the exempted areas below.
EXCEPTION: Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Persons using a stove fire with spark arrestor within the boundaries of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Great Bear Wilderness.
Campfires are permitted in exempted developed recreation areas on the Flathead National Forest within metal or concrete fire rings. Fires within rock fire rings are not authorized and are not exempted from this Order. A list of exempted sites is at the end of this release.
Smoking is prohibited, 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 or cleared of all flammable materials.
Federal, State, and Private jurisdictions under Stage II restrictions are:
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- Kootenai National Forest lands in Flathead, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties in Montana and Kootenai National Forest lands in Bonner and Boundary Counties in Idaho.
- Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Libby Unit. State Land and Private Classified Forested Land within Sanders and Lincoln County.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Region 1 within Sanders and Lincoln County.
- Lincoln County
- Sanders County
- Lake County
- Flathead Ridge Ranch is not allowing any fires on their lands.
- Green Diamond Resource Company lands in Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead Counties.
- Stimson Private Timber Company is not allowing fires on their lands.
- F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company is not allowing any fires on their lands.
- Southern Pine Plantation of Montana Industrial Timberlands in Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead Counties.
Stage II Fire Restrictions Prohibit:
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- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
- 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 or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails
The following acts are prohibited from the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Outside of these hours a one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of all activities as identified below. Lincoln County Lands require a two-hour foot patrol:
1) Operating an Internal Combustion Engine.
2) Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
3) Using an explosive.
Thank you for your cooperation. With vigilance of the public, we can continue to prevent human-caused wildfires!
Flathead National Forest Developed and Improved Recreation Sites
In accordance with Stage I Fire Restrictions evoked under this Special Forest Order, within the developed sites and improved sites listed below, all persons shall be authorized to build and use a campfire within the confines of a metal or concrete fire ring or grill provided by the Forest Service or by the resort for that purpose. Fires within rock fire rings are not authorized. This exemption may be rescinded at any time due to severe weather conditions or major fire activity.
Swan Lake Ranger District
Blair Flats Dispersed Site
Holland Lake Lodge, Campground & Day Use
Lindbergh Lake Campground & Day Use
Mission Lookout Rental Cabin
Owl Creek Packer Camp & Rental Cabin
Swan Lake Campground & Day Use
Pine Ridge Dispersed Site
Old Condon Ranger Station Rental Cabin
Swan River Dispersed site
Swan Guard Station Rental Cabin
Van Lake Dispersed site
Tally Lake Ranger District
Tally Lake Campground
Sylvia Lake Campground
Ashley Lake North Campground
Ashley Lake South Campground
Ashley Lake Boat Launch
Star Meadow Cabin
Upper Stillwater Lake Campground
Spotted Bear Ranger District
Beaver Creek Campground
Bunker Park Camping Area
Meadow Creek Host Site
Peters Creek Campground
South Creek Trailhead
Spotted Bear Campground & Landing Strip
Diamond R Guest Ranch
Schafer Meadows
Spotted Bear Guest Ranch
Wilderness Lodge
Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District
Big Creek Campground & Day Use
Devil Creek Campground
Devil’s Corkscrew Campground
Doris Boat Launch & Campground
Elk Island Campground
Emery Bay Campground
Fire Island Campground
Ford Rental Cabin
Graves Creek Campground (Creek Side Only) Great Northern Flats
Lakeview Campground
Lid Creek Campground
Lost Johnny Camp
Lost Johnny Point Campground
Moose Lake Campground
Murray Bay Campground
North and South Lion Lake Picnic Areas
Red Meadow Campground
Riverside Boat Ramp & Campground
Ben Rover Rental Cabin
Schnaus Rental Cabin
Tuchuck Campground
Wurtz Rental Cabin
Zip’s Place Rental Cabin