The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest urges visitors to be particularly mindful of windy and extremely dry conditions following several human-caused fires since early October.
With the onset of shorter days and crisp, cool weather, fire season may now seem like a distant memory but Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest officials caution against complacency.
The agency says nine human-caused fires have started on the forest since the beginning of October.
Neither the Rocky Mountain Front nor the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District have received any substantial precipitation this fall.
As of October 17, the Rocky Mountain Ranger District and the entire Scapegoat Wilderness on the Lincoln Ranger District have returned to Stage-1 fire restrictions due to six human-caused wildfires. Stage-1 restrictions ban campfires with some exemptions.
Forest visitors are asked to help prevent human caused fires by following local fire restrictions and carrying – and using - proper tools to completely extinguish a campfire until it’s cool to the touch.
