Missoula County Fire Protection agencies want to remind residents and visitors that fire danger remains High in the Missoula area and that outdoor burning by permit is still closed. Some wetting rain and a brief respite in heat and smoke can be deceiving but not was not enough to fully replenish the dry fuels – the danger of fire remains.
The weather forecast does call for potential moisture and a higher than normal chance of precipitation in the six to 10-day outlook, but the forecast also calls for dry, windy conditions later this week. Fire protection agencies will monitor fire danger indices and fuel moistures but while we wait for consistent moisture, please use caution. Now is NOT the time to burn that pile of leaves and branches in your backyard. Not only is it a wildfire risk, it’s illegal!
Montana has experienced 1,896 fires this year, which have burned 264,723 acres. Of that total, 185 fires were in the Missoula area and 140 (76%) of those were caused by humans. Illegal debris burning is one of the leading causes. Outdoor burning in Missoula County is by permit only. General Burning Season is closed until March 1, 2021.
When Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) opens fall burning, the only burning that will be permitted is prescribed wildland and essential agriculture burning.
Visit http://www.MissoulaCounty.us or https://www.MCFPA.org for more information on outdoor burning seasons, permits and current restrictions.
Abandoned campfires are also a leading cause of wildfire in the Missoula area. Cool mornings and warming fires go together but remember that if your campfire is too hot to touch, then it is too hot to leave! Drown, stir, drown some more, then feel. One less spark is one less wildfire! Visit https://www.FireRestrictions.us/mt to learn of fire restrictions that are in place throughout Montana.
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