On Thursday, July 27, Missoula County along with the rest of Southwest Montana will enter Stage II restrictions which will begin at 12:01 A.M. Jordan Koppen with the Southwestern Land Office Explains.

"Campfires and charcoal grills are prohibited, but LPG stoves are allowed, so any of those stoves that can be turned on and off, through say a gas or propane shut-off valve," said Jordan Koppen with the Southwestern Land Office. "No smoking is allowed except in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or flammable-free areas at least three feet in diameter, with no vegetation."

The stage two restriction extend through Granite, Lake, Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli, and Sanders Counties.

"It's in 'classified forested lands' so, any kind of forested areas, whether they be public or private, on any forested lands your not allowed to have any campfires, and no smoking. and then along with that, there's no operating of motorized vehicles off of designated roads and trails."

The Stage II restrictions also bring "hoot owl restrictions in forested areas. The following are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
a. Operating any internal combustion engine.
b. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
c. Using an explosive.

Missoula county never reached Stage II restrictions in 2016, but they were in place before the Fourth of July in 2015.

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