Burn permits end, fire season begins

by Danielle Switalski
| June 23, 2010 1:33 PM

With wildland fire season approaching and the wet spring of 2010 finally coming to an end, fire control officials in Sanders County have announced the conclusion of open burning as of the end of June.

Debris burning permits will no longer be issued, except on a special case to case basis, by the U.S. Forest Service or the Montana DNRC until the fire season of 2010 is officially declared to be over.

The Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District and the Montana DNRC administer the burn permit program in the eastern portion of Sanders County, while the Cabinet Ranger District, headquartered in Trout Creek, issues permits for the western part of the county. Permits will not be issued beyond July 1 in this area.

"Folks have had lots of opportunity to get their burning done this spring," Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District Assistant Fuels Management Officer Jon Airhart said. "But, recognizing that burning conditions can change very quickly with a little summer weather, we feel it is time to end issuing permits and to get ready for the upcoming fire season."

Though it has been a relatively moist spring in this area, managers know, that based on other similar previous fire seasons that severe burning conditions can develop in the matter of a few hot dry days. And the potentially hot and dry dog days of July and August are almost here.

"Through our meetings with the other affected agencies, we've decided to stop issuing permits past the end of June," Montana DNRC Fire Unit Manager Calvin Minemyer said. "We'll use common sense for burning requests after that and decide on those requests on an individual case by case basis, depending on how things develop."

In the Plains area, the Forest Service and DNRC offices have no burning permits active after July 1. In the Superior Ranger District and the Cabinet Ranger District in Trout Creek, there will be no permits active after June 30, until further notice.

People found burning without a permit could face fines and be required to pay for suppression costs.

The Plains/Thompson Falls and Superior Ranger Districts plan on staffing fire lookouts - on Eddy Mountain, Pat's Knob and Camel's Hump - the next few weeks.

All smoke reports from these lookouts after June 30 will be considered wildfires and responded to accordingly. The Cabinet Ranger District staffs Star Peak on an as needed basis depending on fire severity. When fire season does arrive, warm weather, thunderstorms, the wildland urban interface and areas of thick vegetation become the focus of fire control organizations.

The end of burn season also coincides with the beginning of July and the fireworks season. The use of fireworks is prohibited on all Forest Service, State of Montana and classified forested lands.

Private properties included within the classified forested lands are all properties covered by the Montana DNRC's fire protection area.

Therefore, the use of fireworks is also prohibited on these private properties.

If a suitable area for fireworks can be found, the following safety precautions are recommended:

· Never use fireworks in wildland areas. Only light fireworks on a non-combustible surface - away from structures, dry leaves or needles, and other flammable materials.

· Spray the surrounding area with water and always have water/hoses/buckets available.

· Never allow small children to light fireworks.

· Always wear eye protection.

· Call 911 if necessary - do not wait until it is too late.

· Never throw or shoot fireworks from or at a moving vehicle.

· Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.

For more firework safety tips, check the website www.fireworksafety.com.

For more information regarding the use of fireworks or campfires on Montana's forested lands, please contact your local DNRC or Forest Service office at the following numbers:

DNRC Plains Unit - 826-3851

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District - 826-3821

Cabinet Ranger District (Trout Creek) - 827-3533

Superior Ranger District - 822-4233