MISSOULA - In response to higher fuel moistures and sustained cooler temperatures, Missoula County fire protection agencies have lowered the fire danger to Moderate, effective immediately. Open burning for prescribed wildland and essential agriculture burning in Missoula County will open Sept. 1 and open Oct. 1 in the Swan Valley. Fire restrictions have been rescinded across Missoula County and throughout northwestern Montana.
All outdoor burning in Missoula County is by permit only, and the General Burning Season (burning of yard debris/untreated vegetative waste generated onsite) is closed until March 1, 2022. Within Missoula City limits, parcels must be at least one acre or more in size to be eligible for an outdoor burn permit and recreational fires are banned year-round, with exceptions for barbecues. Visit http://www.missoulacounty.us or http://www.MCFPA.org for more information on outdoor burning seasons, permits, and current restrictions. Burn permits can be obtained at https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/
Missoula County and all agencies with jurisdictional lands within the Missoula area rescinded Stage II fire restrictions last week due to a number of factors but primarily the lower fire risk indices, reduced numbers of human-caused fires and visitor use and lowering of regional preparedness levels. Stage 1 restrictions were also rescinded in the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Lolo National Forest as well.
“We are happy that mother nature has granted us a weather reprieve from the hot and dry so we can enjoy the last few weeks of the summer. But with temps still in the 70’s and 80’s, fire season is not over just yet. We ask our community to be vigilant with their campfires, prescribed wildland and essential agriculture burning,” requests Missoula Rural Fire District Fire Chief Chris Newman.
Missoula County fire protection agencies recognize that when the days are cooler, and the feel of fall is in the air, residents and visitors may be tempted to leave a campfire smoldering to go for a hike or burn that pile of yard debris that has been growing over the summer. Fire professionals caution, however, that conditions are still dry overall, and fires will still start from most accidental causes. Although intensity may be more moderate, it can still burn very hot! Do not get complacent and remember that it is illegal to burn your backyard pile of leaves and vegetative debris. As a reminder, inside the Missoula Air Stagnation Zone, it is illegal to burn piles of leaves and grass year-round.
Visit missoulacounty.us for more information. For burning that is allowed as of Sept. 1, please do so safely and responsibly—don’t let your burn get out of hand.
“Be sure that you qualify, check current and expected weather, and have water and tools on hand and ready. It’s wise to stop burning by 2 p.m.,” clarifies Anna Henderson, Fire Prevention & Education for the Lolo National Forest.
Although Stage II fire restrictions have been rescinded in Missoula County, there are fire restrictions in place in other areas across Montana. Please visit MTFireInfo.org. Also visit MissoulaCounty.us or http://www.MCFPA.org for more information on outdoor burning seasons, permits and current restrictions.
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