Fire Danger Moderate in Missoula County

MISSOULA – Wildland fire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) have reported widespread rain and cooler temperatures within their jurisdictions. Longer, cooler nights will prolong the rain’s effect on the fuels that are the primary carrier of fire on the landscape.  These conditions will move Missoula County fire danger rating from VERY HIGH to MODERATE effective Sept. 7.

 While the General Outdoor Burning season for yard debris cleanup is closed until March 2017, Prescribed Wildland Burning and Essential Agriculture Burning are now OPEN with a valid permit.   

Prescribed wildland burning is burning conducted on forestland or relatively undeveloped rangeland for habitat, silvicultural or fuels reduction purposes, and is open until Nov. 30. Essential agriculture burning is burning conducted on a farm or ranch to eliminate excess vegetative matter from fields or irrigation ditches and is open until Oct. 31.   Prescribed wildland and essential agriculture burn permits are available online at https://burnpermit.mt.gov. 

 Local fire departments across the county along with the City-County Health Department (301 Alder Street, Missoula) will issue permits to walk-ins. Those seeking a permit should call ahead to make sure the office is open and staffed. Once a permit is issued or renewed from a past year, it must be activated each day burning is active and should be extinguished by 4 p.m. 

Here are some tips to keep burns from escaping:

 • Never leave burning piles unattended before they are completely cold to the touch.

• Don’t burn on windy days.

• Keep a charged hose and a shovel or Pulaski on-hand.

 Wildland fire agencies would like to extend their gratitude to the residents of Missoula County for their cooperation during this fire season. We also want to thank the public for being extremely careful when involved in activities that could ignite a wildfire. In the coming weeks, we urge archery hunters and campers to make sure their warming fires are cold to the touch and dead-out before being left.

 Find Missoula County Fire Protection Association on Facebook and get information on their website, http://www.mcfpa.org.