With warmer, drier conditions expected later this week, interagency wildland fire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) are expecting an increase in outdoor burning by permit. The fire danger rating is currently LOW and a quick scan into the hills around Missoula reveals snow on the ground. Missoula County citizens are taking advantage of more time spent at home, protecting their neighbors by complying with the state’s shelter in place order.
There’s another group of your neighbors that need to be in the forefront of your decision to burn and the steps all burners must take to ensure they’re lessening the risk of escape: first responders.
Recently, high winds caused embers from a pile to spread into cured grass. Since the permit process opened on March 1st, 17 escaped burns have resulted in 30 acres burned in Missoula County including several escaped burns near Potomac this past week.
Within seconds, fires like this can get beyond the permit holder’s control and spread with the speed of the wind. Fine fuels like cured grass is the primary carrier of wildfire, even during the hottest months of the year.
First responders are currently training to mitigate risk from another spread threat- coronavirus. Each time responders answer the call, they are put in proximity with their fellow responders and the public who may be infected with coronavirus but are showing no symptoms. When the call is over and the threat is subdued, they return to their homes and families.
Each wildfire response is a high-risk call to action. It is imperative that everyone does their part to limit the number of responses that are the result of high-risk activities.
MCFPA member agencies extend a heartfelt thanks to all of you who are conscientious about lowering the risk of wildfire from escaped burns. Until fire danger increases or unattended and escaped burns prompt more responses, Missoula County will leave outdoor burning by permit open.
Tips to burn responsibly: construct your burn pile with two feet of mineral soil around it; string a charged garden hose to the burn; have leather gloves and a hand-tool at the end of the hose. Each day after you activate your burn permit make sure conditions are conducive to burning. Don’t burn if it’s windy. Never leave the pile unattended while it is still warm to the touch. Drown, stir and feel the coals to assure it’s dead-out.
For frequently asked questions about the online burn permit system for Missoula County visit https://mcfpa.org/faqs_2015f_burningpermit_missoula_county_mcfpa_g315.pdf. To get more information on obtaining a permit in Missoula County, visit https://app.mt.gov/burnpermit/
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