Burning season begins

But call the hotline daily for restrictions

The Daily Inter Lake

Spring open burning season is from today, March 1, to April 30. Burners must call the Ventilation Hotline daily for restrictions at 751-8144 before burning. The hotline is updated daily before 8:30 a.m. and before 5 p.m. Friday for the weekend.

Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, all man-made materials, treated materials, wood and wood by-product trade wastes produced by any business, trade, industry or demolition project. Construction debris is considered a trade waste.

Campfires and warming fires (when deemed necessary as determined by weather conditions) are restricted to fires smaller than 3 feet in diameter. These fires should consist of materials smaller than 3 inches in diameter.

. Call the Ventilation Hotline at 751-8144 before burning.

. Burn only clean, dry materials. Do not let poorly burning fires smolder.

. The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning, free to homeowners within the county.

. Leaves and grass clippings create excessive smoke and do not burn well. Composting or landfilling these items is recommended.

. Keep burn piles away from other combustible materials and fire extinguishing equipment nearby at all times.

. Never allow piles to become larger than manageable. Weather conditions may change quickly.

. In the Whitefish area, a permit is required from the Whitefish Fire Department.

. Burning is prohibited within the city limits of Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

Dates to remember

Dec. 1 to Feb. 29 - No open burning (season closed).

March 1 to April 30 - Open burning. No burning permit required. Air-quality compliance required.

May 1 to June 30 - Burning permit required. Air-quality compliance required.

July 1 to Sept. 30 - No burning in Flathead County and some Lake County rural fire departments.

Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 - Open burning. No burning permit required. Air-quality compliance required.