Open burning begins on Wednesday

Outdoor open burning season begins Wednesday, Oct. 1, and extends until Nov. 30 in Flathead County.

Burners need to call the Ventilation Hotline at 751-8144 to find out if there are restrictions. The hotline is updated daily before 8:30 a.m. and at 5 p.m. Friday for the weekend. 

This information also is on the website www.flatheadhealth.org. 

Guidelines for burning:

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

— The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning that is free to homeowners within the county.

— Leaves and grass clippings create excessive smoke and do not burn well. Composting or taking these items to the landfill 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.

— Burning is prohibited within the Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls city limits.

— Prohibited materials include all manmade 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 are restricted to fires less than four feet in diameter. These fires should consist of materials less than three inches in diameter.