Fall open burning season begin today

Fall open burning season for Flathead County begins today, Oct. 1, and runs through Nov. 30; no burning permit is required, but residents must comply with air quality regulations.

Call the Ventilation Hotline before burning daily for restrictions at 751-8144 or check the webpage flatheadhealth.org prior to burning. The hotline is updated daily before 8:30 a.m every weekday and will be updated by 5 p.m. Friday for the weekend. Fire managers recommend taking extra care while burning this fall as persistent drought has left forest fuels extremely dry and the potential for active fire behavior still exists.

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

Campfires are allowed. Campfire is defined as a fire set for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes, which meets the following criteria:

- Not more than four feet in diameter or height

- Void of overhanging branches

- All combustible material is cleared at least one and one-half times the diameter of the fire

- A barbecue in a noncombustible container.

Call the Ventilation Hotline at 751-8144 before burning or check the webpage flatheadhealth.org before burning. Burn only clean, dry materials. Do not let fires smolder.

The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning, free to homeowners within the county. Leaves and grass clippings should not be burned. 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. Burning is prohibited within the Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls city limits.