Northwest Montana private timberlands closed due to fire danger

Private timberlands across Northwest Montana are closed to public access and recreation due to extreme fire danger.

The closures began Monday on timberlands owned by Green Diamond Resource Co., Southern Pine Montana, Flathead Ridge Ranch, MKH Montana and F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber.

The restrictions prohibit all public access, including for activities such as firewood cutting and the use of motorized and non-motorized vehicles. They will remain in effect until conditions improve, the companies said.

The lands owned by Green Diamond Resource Co., SPP Montana, Flathead Ridge Ranch, and MKH Montana are former Weyerhaeuser lands and encompass about 600,000 acres across Northwest Montana.

Stimson Lumber lands also will remain closed until rains reduce the fire hazard later in the season, the company said.