Open burning ends today

After today, debris can no longer be burned in Flathead or Lake counties outside the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Fire departments in the two counties have prohibited all burning from July 1 through Sept. 30 because of the likelihood of summer fires.

Open burning is expected to again be permitted from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, if there is no significant fire danger.

Violators can be fined and billed for the cost of extinguishing fires that were illegally set.

In areas of overlapping jurisdiction, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service refrain from issuing permits within areas covered by local fire departments.

Burn permits are not required for campfires or barbecues.