Missoula County Delay in Lifting Stage 2 Restriction Result of Bad Timing

MISSOULA – While all fire restrictions on federal, state and tribal lands were lifted Wednesday, Sept. 20, it was still illegal to operate internal combustion engines after 2 p.m., use charcoal or have a campfire on private land and open space lands in Missoula County until Tuesday, Sept. 26. The delay had nothing to do with the threat of wildfire but rather the inability of the Missoula County Commissioners to approve the decision without a public meeting.

The public notification requirements and requirements of open meeting law necessitate the decision to rescind fire restrictions be made at...