Burn regulations save resources and money
SANDERS COUNTY – Open burning started several weeks ago in Sanders County and officials tasked with dealing with fires that get away from residents are warning people to use extreme caution when burning.
According to a press release from the Forest Service, “Anyone who lights a fire is responsible for keeping that fire under control. If it escapes and damages or threatens lives and property, or simply requires an agency response, the person who lit it can be held responsible, legally and financially.
And rolling out fire engines and personnel to such a blaze is potentially very expensive. Not to mention being a potentially dangerous situation for adjacent landowners.”
Fire officials are hoping to minimize the odds that a fire escapes and results in critical resources being diverted to deal with a crisis. Fire management officials are urging the public to be conscientious about their burning practices.
“We understand that people want to burn unwanted debris around their property, and this is usually a good time of year to burn,” Dave Tingley, a fuels specialist for the U.S. Forest Service in Plains, who has responded to fires caused by spring burning in the past, said. “But there is always the chance of something going wrong and we don’t want to see anyone hurt or get charged a lot of money if a fire does escape.”
Fire Management Officer for the Plains Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Calvin Minemyer, suggested residents examine the site where they plan to burn.
“Folks need to make sure it is okay to be burning before you light something, not after,” Minemyer said. “We don’t want people creating a dangerous situation for themselves or their neighbors.”
The press release further states, “In order to reduce the chance of an unwanted fire escape, there are several steps that landowners should take prior to burning. Chances of an escaped fire are low if the proper precautions are taken before burning. Before igniting a fire:
-Ensure that an adequate water source is in place and ready to use. Check the water pressure and hose condition before lighting the fire, making sure that everything is in working order and that there is enough hose available to reach anything that might catch fire.
-Have hand tools available and on site. Keep a shovel, rake and/or other hand tools within reach while burning.
-Be a good neighbor and tell someone that you plan on burning, and ensure that you can get extra help if needed. Have a list of phone numbers, including the local fire department and/or dispatch center in case further assistance is required.
-Call the Airshed Hotline at 1-800-225-6779 to see if any air quality restrictions are in place.
-Check the weather forecast before burning and avoid burning during the time of day when winds are usually strongest.
In northwest Montana, open burning is allowed without a permit in the spring months of March and April and again in the fall months of October and November, but a burn permit is usually required for any burning done between May and September.
Open burning is not allowed in the months of December through February due to air quality concerns in the winter months.
Before burning, consider other options for the disposal of unwanted materials as burning is often not the only, or best way to deal with unwanted debris. Before lighting a fire, consider the following:
1.Is this something that really needs to be burned? Dead grass, garden debris, leaves and conifer needles are all materials that can be composted. This would reduce the need to burn and beneficial compost would be produced.
2.Is the material being burned dry enough to burn up quickly without smoldering? Wood at the bottom of large piles, particularly if dirt is mixed in, can be very wet during the spring. Left unattended, this wet wood can smolder for weeks or even months and flame up later.
3.What will the weather be like when you are burning? A sudden increase in wind speed can cause a fire to burn more rapidly and escape control.
4.Is the debris to be burned drier than the surrounding fuels? It is usually best to burn earlier in the day when the relative humidity is higher. Avoid burning during the warmest part of the day.
5.Will the fire be watched during the entire time that it is burning? Leaving fires unattended is not allowed according to permit regulations. Make plans to have the fire watched by someone at all times until it is completely out.
Fire officials also stressed only natural or agricultural debris is allowed to be burned during the season. Materials that may not be burned include Styrofoam, plastic, treated or painted wood and lumber, tires, insulated wires, food wastes, oil products, hazardous waste any manmade materials or waste from a business.
They further stressed residents who participate in open burning make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the site. Burning is allowed by permit only from May 1 to Sept. 30. Permits are not required for campfires unless the fire danger status forces restrictions. Campfires must not be left unattended and should be completely extinguished.
For more information, call the U.S. Forest Service at 826-3821 (in Plains) or at 827-3533 (in Trout Creek), or the Montana Department of State Lands at 826-3851.