Stage 1 fire restrictions go into effect for entire county

Carter County Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

Neil Kittelmann, Carter County Fire Warden, along with the Carter County Commissioners have declared, effective at 12:01 p.m., July 31, 2024, Carter County Fire Restrictions - Stage 1 will be in effect until further notice.

PROHIBITIONS:

During the restricted period, the following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, unless noted and allowed in the exemptions stated below:

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that a barren or cleared of all flammable materials; and

• Any fireworks requiring an open flame to ignite, or that emits a spark, are prohibited until further notice.

• Any other activity that poses a significant risk of starting a fire.

EXEMPTIONS:

• Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act;

• Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels;

• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice;

• Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force while in the performance of an official duty;

• Other exemptions which are established and unique to each agency; and

• Burn barrel with a spark arrester and wetting agent/fire retardant.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Custer Gallatin National Forest Sioux Ranger District Stage II Fire Restriction Order

PROHIBITIONS:

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 C.F.R. §261.50 (a) and §261.50 (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands administered by the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Carter County, Montana and Harding County, South Dakota.

1. 36 CFR § 261.52(a) Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.

2. 36 CFR § 261.52(d) 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.

3. 36 CFR § 261.52(h) Operating an Internal Combustion Engine.

4. 36 CFR § 261.52(i) Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

5. 36 CFR 261.52(m) Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization or other written authorization from the Forest Service specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

2. Operating an internal combustion motor from 1:00 am to 1:00 pm. During these hours, a 1- hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of these activities.

3. Persons using a device 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.

4. Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

5. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.

6. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads.

7. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

8. All land within a city boundary is exempted.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

All National Forest System lands administered by the Custer Gallatin National Forest on the Sioux Ranger District.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety by reducing the probability of human-caused ignitions of wildfire during times of dry fuel conditions.