Fire restrictions in effect on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation – Sheridan Media

A late summer heat wave creates fires on an Indian reservation in Montana.

Due to hot and dry weather conditions on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, the office of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe Chairman, in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent, Director of Tribal Forestry, and management, issued an executive order imposing certain restrictions on activities that will reduce the risk of starting wildfires.

Restrictions include no lighting of fireworks at any time, no littering or agricultural burning, no issuance of burning permits by BIA management, no smoking except in enclosed buildings, vehicles or in designated smoking areas, and no campfires allowed, including recreation areas.

Ceremonial fires must be present at all times with notification to BIA Fire Management or Law Enforcement.

All persons traveling on secondary roads are required to stay on established routes due to the risk of fire.

The decree is in effect from Thursday, September 1 until it is cancelled.

It is issued due to the hot and dry weather conditions, safety, health and welfare of its inhabitants of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

Personnel exempt from the restrictions include federal and tribal employees and local ranchers in the performance of their official duties.

BIA Law Enforcement Officers are authorized to enforce restrictions to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Non-Indians will be detained by BIA law enforcement authorities until they are turned over to the appropriate county, state or federal authorities.

Violators of the decree will be charged with arson.