Montana FWP closes Blackfoot-Clearwater because of extreme fire danger
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks issued a temporary closure Friday afternoon for most of the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA), due to extreme fire conditions and the surrounding pre-evacuation notices related to the Rice Ridge fire.
The closure applies to all public entry on the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA in Missoula and Powell counties, south and west of Woodworth Road and the portion west of Highway 83, as posted. Ovando Mountain is the only portion of the WMA that remains open.
Officials say the closure will help reduce fire risks and minimize hunter and other recreationist travel in an area that is under a pre-evacuation notice.
The closure will be in place until conditions improve. For up-to-date information on this closure and restrictions related to drought and fire, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/