The Potomac Valley 4H Club cooked, served and worked during the annual Pancakes and Permits event at the PGCC Feb. 22 as a community service project. Community service is a requirement in 4H.
Community members were issued burn permits by the Clearwater DNRC Unit during the annual Pancakes and Permits hosted by the GPVFD and the Potomac Valley 4H Club Feb. 22. Fire extinguishers were also checked and filled by Missoula Fire Equipment, and attendees enjoyed a morning of visiting and breakfast.
Missoula Fire Equipment's Jerry Larango and his wife Diane look forward to coming out to Potomac for the annual Pancakes and Permits. They provide the light maintenance and refill fire extinguishers during the event.
POTOMAC - More than 150 people attended the annual Pancakes and Permits event Feb. 22 at the Potomac/Greenough Community Center (PGCC). For two hours the coffee and conversation flowed as Potomac and surrounding community members enjoyed each other over a hot breakfast of sausages, eggs and pancakes.
The Potomac Valley 4H Club and the Greenough/Potomac Volunteer Fire Department (GPVFD) hosted the breakfast. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Clearwater Unit was there alongside GPVFD updating and giving burn permits as well as providing materials on fire safety for adults and children alike.
In certain instances, multiple addresses may be affiliated with each burn permit number. For example, in logging, agricultural or ranching situations there may be the need for numerous burn piles which would be associated with the one burn permit number for that landowner.
From greeting community members at the door to cooking in the chilly sunshine, Potomac Valley 4H Club members worked hard for their community according to the GPVFD and 4H club leaders. The club was full of smiles as they worked together at the grills, in the kitchen and throughout the community center.
Jerry and Diane Larango of Missoula Fire Equipment came out as they do every year, to fill and provide light maintenance on fire extinguishers as well as visit and partake from the breakfast. "I love it out here, everyone is so friendly," said Diane. "When January comes around I start looking forward to this day in Potomac and I can't wait to come out here for it."
Burning season opens March 1. GPVFD Chief Ryan Hall explained the reasoning for the burning season date. "Believe it or not, it does not have to do with snow on the ground," said Hall. Hall explained there is science behind it regarding how air disperses differently in spring compared to winter with changing high and low pressure systems.
Cleanup was fast and a breeze with everyone working together. The volunteers said from start to finish the event ran smoothly.
More than 100 permits were given. The GPVFD and DNRC remind everyone that the permits must be activated each time someone wants to burn.
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