Local fire restrictions imposed

Hill County has imposed Stage 1 fire restrictions in the county that will take affect a 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Blaine County imposed similar restrictions effective today.

The action prohibits camp fires except in designated parks and in metal or concrete campfire pits.

Hill County Commission Chair Mike Wendland said the action was taken because of the worsening drought situation in the county.

The ban on open campfires will help reduce the chances of wildfires, he said.

Should the county find it necessary to impose Stage 2 restrictions, campfires would be banned even in people’s backyards, he said. But those restrictions are not needed now, he said.

Campfires in metal or concrete pits will still be allowed at Beaver Creek Park, he said.

But Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in a press release this morning said campfires will be banned at Bailey Reservoir, the Rookery, Lost River, Fresno Tailwater and Fresno Reservoir.