MISSOULA – Extended cooler weather and precipitation has prompted Missoula County fire protection agencies to reduce the fire danger in the Missoula area to Low. When fire danger is low, fuels do not ignite readily from small embers but will if a more intense heat source occurs. Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn freely a few hours after rain, but wood fires spread slowly by creeping or smoldering. Fire managers would like to re-iterate that LOW fire danger is not NO fire danger.
“This recurring pattern of precipitation will definitely hit this fire season with a nasty blow—if not a mortal one, but there are still pockets of dry fuels out there. Campfires not properly extinguished or illegal debris burning can still result in wildfires, as we saw with the numerous late season human caused wildfires that occurred last week,” cautions Kristin Mortenson, Fire Prevention Specialist with the DNRC Southwestern Land Office. “Please only burn when legal and with activated permit, and if camping make sure your campfire is always dead out before you leave it.”
The only burning currently allowed in Missoula County is essential agriculture and prescribed wildland—and that is by permit only. Permits may be obtained or activated at https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/. Be aware, essential agriculture burning closed Oct. 31 and prescribed wildland fire closes Nov. 30. General Burning Season (burning of yard debris/untreated vegetative waste generated onsite) is closed until March 1, 2022. Wit
Visit http://www.MissoulaCounty.us/airquality or http://www.MCFPA.org for more information on outdoor burning seasons, permits, and current restrictions.
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