Great Fishing in Montana

Bird Island closed to public, FWP will not suppress wildfire there
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: August 4, 2020

Kalispell, MT — Bird Island on Flathead Lake near Finley Point is closed to public access
due to wildfire danger.
A wildfire is actively burning on the island, creating unsafe fire conditions and hazardous
trees. These safety concerns pose threats to public safety, and Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks implemented an emergency closure effective immediately on Aug. 4, 2020.
Bird Island, encompassing 30 acres off the southeast shore of the lake, is a Wildlife
Habitat Protection Area that was originally purchased for goose nesting. It is closed to all
public occupation and recreation until further notice.
FWP has worked closely with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and would like to
thank crews for promptly responding to the fire. Due to serious safety concerns related to
fighting the fire on the island, FWP has made the decision to not actively suppress the
fire.
“There is a lot of dense undergrowth, downed or hanging tree snags and other hazards
that make it unsafe for firefighters,” said Neil Anderson, FWP Regional Wildlife Manager.
“We recognize there may be concerns about the fire’s damage to the island but the risk
to the safety of the firefighters is too significant to actively engage the fire.”

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