Head for the Mountains

Open Space

By Kirk Siegler, 9-12-05

No, that's not an advert for the famed Busch Beer, I've got better news for you hikers and bikers: Missoula’s beloved landmarks, Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo are again open for use, after extreme fire danger caused city officials to close access to them last month.

The decision follows last weekend's heavy rainfall, which also prompted officials to downgrade us from a State II to a Stage I fire restriction, meaning campfires are only allowed in established sites, though not anywhere on city open space land.

Why the city-managed open space was closed, while adjacent federally-managed lands like the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon stayed open, even at the height of last month’s fires near Missoula, is a mystery to me. Though I’d guess the Forest Service’s decision to keep their lands in the Missoula Ranger District open may have something to do with an outpouring of criticism they received for closing down those areas during the epic wildfire season of 2000.

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By Kirk Siegler, 9-12-05 | add comment | email story | print story

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Open Space