Fall open burn season begins Saturday

Fall open burning season for Flathead County and northern Lake County begins Saturday, Oct. 1 and extends through Nov. 30.

Wildland fire managers recommend being careful while burning this fall, as warm and dry conditions are predicted for this week and cured grasses will still ignite readily.

Burn seasons are for burning natural materials only. Permits are not required during open burning seasons, but air quality compliance is.

Those burning in Flathead County must comply with air quality before igniting any burn by calling 751-8144 or checking the ventilation and burning forecast on the Flathead Environmental Health website. In northern Lake County, call 1-800-225-6779.

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

When burning, remember that the majority of human-caused wildfires in Flathead and Lake Counties are started by escaped debris burns. The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation recommends taking the following precautions:

— Check the local weather forecast and wait to start a fire if windy conditions are predicted.

— Have enough water, tools and people on site to help put out the fire if necessary.

— Do not leave fires unattended. A fire is not out until it is cold to the touch.

— Build piles of manageable size and in areas clear of any surrounding or overhanging vegetation.

— Piles should be constructed of dry materials so they burn cleanly and quickly. Refrain from burning wet grass or material that will smolder and produce excess smoke.

— Call 911 immediately if the fire begins to burn out of control.

Fall open burning season is also a great time to continue preparing for next fire season.

Homeowners should maintain a 3- to 5-foot, non-combustible perimeter by removing any flammable vegetation in direct contact with the house or other structures.

Tree limbs 6 to 15 feet from the ground can be removed to reduce “ladder fuels,” which allow a fire to climb from the ground into the tree canopy. Spacing between the crowns of trees by 10 to 15 feet will reduce the possibility of fire moving laterally from tree to tree.

For more information on creating defensible space, contact the Fire Prevention Specialist for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s regional office in Kalispell at 406-751-2270