[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53329-53330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22609]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-912-0777-HN-003E]


Notice of Special Fire Restrictions--Restrictions and Conditions 
of Use in the Lewistown, Billings, Miles City, Malta Field Offices

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

[[Page 53330]]


ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Bureau of Land Management Montana State Director Mat 
Millenbach has initiated Level 4 fire restrictions, effective starting 
at 12:01AM August 31, 2000, on the BLM lands in the Montana counties 
listed below. These restrictions are in response to the region's 
increasing fire potentials, the current level of fire activity, and the 
current scarcity of fire suppression resources.
    The Level 4 fire restrictions apply to BLM lands in: Liberty, Hill, 
Blain, Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Chouteau, Judith 
Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Dawson, Prairie, 
Wibaux, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Yellowstone, Big Horn, 
Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Powder River, Fallon, and Carter counties.
    With Level 4 fire restrictions, the following activities are 
prohibited on BLM managed lands. Building, maintaining, attending, or 
using a campfire or any open fire is prohibited (43 CFR 9212.1(h)). Gas 
and liquid-fueled stoves and lanterns are still permitted at a signed 
developed, designated recreation site or campground.
    Camping in contained units is confined to areas immediately 
adjacent to open roads. Contained units, campers, trailers, etc. are 
not restricted to designated areas if cooking within the contained 
unit. This includes pickups with toppers, but not an open pickup bed. 
Boats on water are considered a contained unit.
    Possessing or using motorized vehicles such as, but not limited to 
cars, trucks, trail bikes, motorcycles and all terrain vehicles off of 
cleared roads is prohibited except for persons with a grazing, oil and 
gas or mining permit performing activities in accordance with their 
permit. Cleared roads are defined as roads cleared of vegetation 
shoulder to shoulder (43 CFR 9212.1(h))
    Travel via foot or bicycle will be allowed on roads that have been 
closed due to the extreme fire danger.
    Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building; at an 
improved place of habitation; at a developed, designated recreation 
site or campground; or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in 
diameter that is cleared of all flammable material, is prohibited (43 
CFR 9212.1(h)).
    Use of chainsaws or other equipment with internal combustion 
engines for felling, bucking, skidding/wood cutting, road-building, and 
other high fire risk operations is prohibited. Exceptions are 
helicopter yarding and earth moving on areas of cleared and bare soil. 
Sawing incidental to loading operations on cleared landings is not 
necessarily restricted (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    Welding, blasting (except seismic operations confined by ten or 
more feet of soil, sand or cuttings), and other activities with a high 
potential for causing wildland fires are prohibited (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    A patrol is required for a period of two hour following the 
cessation of all work activity. The patrolperson's responsibilities 
include checking for compliance with required fire precautions.
    Exemptions: Exemptions to the above prohibitions are allowed only 
for any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized 
rescue, firefighting force or law enforcement in the performance of an 
official duty, or persons with a permit or written authorization 
allowing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
    Authority for these prohibitions is pursuant to the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.), Sections 
302(b) and 301(a); and Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
Part 9210 (Fire Management), Subpart 9212 (Wildfire Prevention). These 
restrictions will become effective at 1:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight 
Time, Friday, August 11, 2000, and will remain in effect until 
rescinded or revoked.
    Violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more 
than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or both.

DATES: Restrictions go into effect at 12:01 am on Thursday, August 31, 
2000, and will remain in effect until further notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to BLM Montana State Director, 
Attention: Pat Mullaney, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107-6800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Mullaney, Fire Management 
Specialist, 406-896-2915.

    Dated: August 29, 2000.
Roberta A. Moltzen,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 00-22609 Filed 8-30-00; 12:37 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P