Spring burning season nears end

by From National Forest Service
| June 21, 2017 2:06 PM

The spring burn season is officially drawing to a close in western Montana, and several land agencies in charge of administering burn permits have already stopped issuing permits as of Monday, June 12.

All local wildfire control organizations in Sanders and Mineral counties, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Montana DNRC and the BIA will stop issuing burn permits as soon as the wildfire season officially arrives in western Montana.

The Plains/Thompson Falls and Superior Ranger District offices and the Montana DNRC in Plains have already ceased the issuing of burn permits in their responsibility areas, and the other local fire control organizations – the Cabinet Ranger District headquartered out of Trout Creek and the BIA office out of Ronan – will stop issuing burn permits as of July 1.

As of Monday, the only areas where burning permits will continue to be issued in Sanders County are on the Cabinet Ranger District’s area of responsibility to the west and on the BIA’s area of responsibility in the Hot Springs area to the north. Officials from the Cabinet RD and the BIA said burn permits will still be issued on a case-by-case basis from those offices until the end of this month.

No fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are still allowed, although forest users are reminded, as always, to put all fires dead out before leaving the area.

With July 4th less than two weeks away, officials would like to remind forest users that fireworks are prohibited on all U.S. Forest Service lands and lands protected by the Forest Service, and also on all state-protected lands classified as forested zones.

As the permitted burn season officially ends, people are reminded that those burning without a permit could face fines and be required to pay suppression costs in the event of an escaped fire. In any event, any person who lights a fire is ultimately responsible for any damage that fire causes.

For more information regarding burn permits, fireworks or other fire regulations on Montana’s forested lands, please contact the DNRC or USFS at one of the following phone numbers: DNRC Plains Unit – 826-3851; Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District – 826-3821; Cabinet Ranger District (Trout Creek) – 827-3533; or Superior Ranger District – 822-4233. To reach fire personnel at the Ronan BIA office call 676-2550.