March 1 marked the opening of outdoor burning by permit in western Montana. All burns require a permit, that can be obtained at the County Burn Permit System online at http://www.burnpermit.mt.gov, at the Seeley Lake Fire Department (200 Firehouse Lane) or online at http://www.seeleyfire.org. All permits cost $5.
Permits can also be renewed. All of last year’s information is saved and ready to go. Check the mail each spring for a postcard with your permit number, or call the City-County Health Department (258-4755). Burn permit reminder postcards were mailed this year Feb. 17.
Before lighting a fire, burn permits must be activated either online or by calling the automated activation phone line at 1-888-583-6497 after 9 a.m. on the day you wish to burn. When dispersion is poor, burn restrictions are required to protect public health.
Hundreds of federal, state and local government responders in the area are preparing for the upcoming fire season. Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA.org) is an association representing these responders. As your neighbors, we’d like to remind everyone how to lower the risk to first responders and the public when debris piles are burned.
One less spark equals one less wildfire. It’s up to everyone to limit the number of wildfires. It starts by taking a moment to think about actions that may produce a spark and result in a wildfire. Two overwhelmingly common factors are related to human-caused wildfires:
1. Pile is not lined and the fire creeps into dry grass.
2. People burn on high wind days and sparks spread to dry grass.
Make sure the pile is cold to the touch before it is left unattended at any time of day or night by drowning it with water and stirring it to expose residual heat. Afterwards, cold-trail the blackened coals with the back of your hand.
Most people who lose burns have left the pile only for a short time and return to a fire running through dry grass. Always have a charged hose or bucket of water, leather gloves and hand tools available on-site when burning.
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