Due to the extreme fire conditions in the area, by ORDER of the Fire Chief, the City of Whitefish shall join Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Flathead County, Lincoln County, and the DNRC’s NW Land Office – Kalispell and enact Stage II Fire Restrictions effective Monday July 26, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
Pursuant to Ordinance No. 17-25 the Fire Chief’s ORDER will remain in effect until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council where the Council shall consider enacting such restrictions by emergency ordinance.
STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS
- Campfires – Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire, fire pit, or other open fire are prohibited everywhere.
- Fireworks – the use of fireworks is prohibited.
- Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails is prohibited.
- Operating any internal combustion engine, welding, operating a torch with open flame and using explosives are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. A one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of any of these activities.
- Control of Smoking – Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area where at least three feet in diameter is cleared of all flammable material is prohibited. Discarding smoking material outdoors is also prohibited.
Exemptions – The following exemptions are authorized:
- Persons at their private property can use a liquid petroleum or LPG BBQ grill that can be turned off and have an area that is barren or mowed and cleared of all surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device, and overhead flammable materials within six feet of the device and have running water readily accessible at the device.
- Operate generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle compartment or ventilated building, or in an area that is barren and cleared of all surrounding flammable materials within ten feet of the generator, and overhead flammable materials within six feet of the generator.
- Emergency repair of public roadways, public utilities, and railways.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Fire Chief Joe Page
jpage@cityofwhitefish.org