News Release

SOME CLOSED AREAS ANTICIPATED TO OPEN IN TIME FOR EARLY RIFLE SEASON IN THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS COMPLEX

Hunters may find access to some of the closed areas within the Little Salmon Complex in time for the start of this year’s early rifle season. The staff at the Spotted Bear Ranger District is hoping for a decision by Saturday, September 13 that will allow hunters to firm up their plans for hunting season. The South Fork Flathead River and the Spotted Bear River drainages in the Wilderness remain closed at this time.

Any lifting of closures and restrictions will be dependent on the weather and the ability to provide for public safety. News of areas opening will be distributed by the end of the week through the media and agency web sites.

Effective today, some of the outfitters who use the areas within the Little Salmon Complex fires have been allowed to enter some areas to prepare for planned hunting trips. Ten outfitters have been allowed into specific areas with either a two-way radio or a satellite phone. Each outfitter is required to make daily contact with the Spotted Bear Ranger District for fire and potential closure updates.

Many areas within the Little Salmon Complex and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex still remain open. The East Side Reservoir Road 38 is open. The area north of Spotted Bear River Road 568 is open, but the part south of the road remains closed. Spotted Bear River Trail 83 is only open 2 miles to Blue Lakes.

On the Flathead National Forest, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River drainage in the Wilderness remains open.

The Lewis and Clark National Forest remains open except for the area west of Benchmark in the upper South Fork Sun River Drainage area. The Indian Creek and Ahorn area, east of White River Pass and the Falls Creek area north of the Snow Talon fire remains closed.

On the Helena National Forest, the Scapegoat Wilderness west of Sourdough Creek and Trail 479 is open. The eastern portion of the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Helena National Forest remains closed.

The Lolo National Forest portion of the Scapegoat Wilderness remains open.

Get more information at www.fs.fed.us/nwacfire/