Beginning Wednesday at noon, Carter County will join several other southeast Montana counties that are under Stage 1 fire restrictions. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks follows the counties’ lead, meaning that Medicine Rocks State Park will no longer allow campfires and smoking in open spaces.

Other counties in the region currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions include Dawson, Powder River, Treasure and Big Horn counties. In addition, the Ashland and Sioux Ranger Districts of the Custer National Forest are both under Stage 2 restrictions.

The only FWP site in these counties still allowing campfires in designated rings is Makoshika State Park.

Fire restrictions are in effect at all of the following sites:

Powder River County: Broadus Bridge FAS

Treasure County: Myers Bridge FAS, Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area, Amelia Island WMA

Dawson County: Johnson FAS, Intake Dam FAS, Black Bridge FAS, Stipek FAS, Makoshika State Park (campfires will be allowed within designated fire rings)

Big Horn County: Grant Marsh FAS and WMA, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Tongue River Reservoir State Park, Rosebud Battlefield State Park, Bighorn FAS, Arapooish FAS, General FAS, Mallard's FAS, and Two Leggins FAS.

The mandatory evacuation order impacting Tongue River Reservoir State Park July 18 has been lifted, and the park is operating normally.

Please continue to recreate responsibly, be aware of drought and fire conditions, and report any fire activity.

For statewide updates, visit FWP's restrictions and closures page at https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions