Stage II Fire Restrictions Rescinded, Fire Danger Lowered in Missoula

While the weather may seem strange in western Montana for early August, the precipitation has helped the fire danger in the area.

The Missoula Fire Department announced via press release on Tuesday evening that Stage II Fire Restrictions have been rescinded. Additionally, the fire danger has been downgraded to High. The release was also accompanied by a Recession of Emergency Proclamation from Mayor Andrea Davis.

Lifting fire restrictions took effect at midnight on August 7, 2024. "This is always a difficult decision to make, especially since we are only in the early part of August," said Fire Chief Gordy Hughes in the press release. However, the restrictions may only be temporarily lifted, depending on the weather.

While restrictions were lifted in the Missoula area, other parts of Montana are still seeing restrictions in effect.

If you plan to travel around Montana or recreate in the western part of the state it's a good idea to check mtfireinfo.org before you go to know what conditions will be like in the area. For example, looking at the map today it shows:

• Flathead National Forest - Stage I
• Dillon Area - Stage II
• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Stage I

Fire restrictions across the whole state are also available at mtfireinfo.org

In addition to the updates about fire restrictions and fire danger, the City of Missoula also provided an update in a release about the continued process of disposing of storm debris. Starting on Tuesday of this week (August 6) the City of Missoula began picking up storm debris from residences in Missoula neighborhoods. They say, "Residents should check the website missoula.co/storm on Fridays when the incident management team will post the next planned pickup area for the coming week."

The website missoula.co/storm is also the website residents should check if they plan to drop off debris.