No need for county fire restrictions yet

Although several wildfires are burning in Northwest Montana, it’s not yet necessary to implement specific restrictions on fires or burning, the Flathead County fire service area manager told county commissioners recently.

Lincoln Chute said he has been making sure county fire departments are prepared for wildfires as ground conditions dry out from both heat and wind.

“We’ll keep a close eye on it,” Chute said.

Rain forecast for today may alleviate some of the fire danger.

Chute also told commissioners he was preparing to submit a grant request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that would pay to connect the nine emergency services radio towers with fire repeaters to one another.

Connecting the towers would mean emergency dispatchers no longer have to page on different frequencies to notify all the responders they’re trying to reach, he said.

The county should learn in December if it receives the grant, Chute said.

On a separate issue, Chute and Office of Emergency Services Director Scott Sampey told commissioners they have learned that no government agency is responsible for removing logjams from rivers.

Chute and officials from the Sheriff’s Office have discussed removing some logjams to avoid the possibility of boaters getting caught .

Commissioner Jim Dupont suggested that Chute talk with Sheriff Chuck Curry to see if they could develop a training exercise around removing some of the jams.

Sampey told commissioners he and other 911 center employees continue to work with Swank Enterprises to make sure the cinder blocks on the center are fully sealed. Because of weather conditions in spring 2010, some sealant didn’t work as it was intended to, Sampey said, and water from rain and snow has been able to permeate those blocks.

Until he’s satisfied with the repairs, Sampey said he won’t sign off on the construction acceptance documents.

“We’re at the one-year point of signing off on the building, post construction,” he said. “There are a few items we are trying to get addressed. It’s all part of the original agreement and Swank is working with us and with CTA, the architects.”

In other business, commissioners agreed to let the Marion Shooters’ Club set up portable equipment at the Bush gravel pit a few miles from Marion.

The shooters’ group wants to use the pit for target practice.

County Public Works Director Dave Prunty told commissioners the group has insurance and has agreed to use the site only on weekends.

Because the materials they use are portable, “they can move it easily if we need them to,” Prunty said.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.