BLM reopens July Fire area

The area burned by the July Fire will reopen for public use May 11.

The July Fire area of the Little Rocky Mountains in Phillips County, Mont., had been closed since September due to public safety concerns.

Fire had weakened roots and limbs on a significant amount of standing timber throughout the burned area.

“Many of the hazard trees that posed an imminent public safety threat have fallen over winter,” said Bureau of Land Management Malta Field Manager Tom Darrington.

Soils became unstable due to the weakened root structures. Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation efforts were ini...