Free burn permits are required now

RONAN - Residents within the exterior boundary of the Flathead Reservation were permitted to conduct debris burn activities until last week (April 30) without a permit.

Effective May 1, a fire season burn permit will be required from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Division of Fire. Additional local burning restrictions and/or regulations may also apply in certain towns, cities and counties. Local fire protection agencies or fire departments can advise potential burners of the restrictions and/or regulations pertinent to their prospective burn site.

Burn permits are required for all burn activities conducted from May 1 to September 30 each fire season. Issuance of burn permits may be suspended during the summer months dependent on fire danger levels and possible forest restrictions and closures associated with severe fire season conditions.

Burn permits can be obtained by calling the Division of Fire Dispatch Office at 676-2550. Persons requesting a burn permit will be required to provide various details of the proposed burning to include a legal location of the burn activities as well as a telephone number and mailing address.

Burn permits are free of charge and are valid for a 10-day period. Additional burn permits, or extensions of an expired permit are available upon request. All burners must call their local fire authority prior to ignition.

Burners are reminded that all debris burns must be conducted carefully because the burner will be liable for damages and the cost of fire suppression if their burn escapes control. Burns must be manned at all times that smoke is visible and burners should ensure that the fire is dead out.

Local burners are also reminded that only woody debris can be burned and that they should not burn at night and during periods of poor smoke dispersion. Check your local weather forecast for hazardous burn situations and for favorable smoke dispersal and transport conditions. Daily smoke dispersal conditions can be obtained by calling the Division of Fire Office at 676-2550 or the CSKT Air Quality Department at 883-2888.

Next day smoke dispersal information can also be obtained from the Air Quality Bureau Ventilation Hotline at (800) 225-6779 or the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group homepage at http://www.smokemu.org.

For areas within the Flathead Reservation, open or restricted smoke dispersal conditions will be announced with references to Airshed 2 (which includes Lake, Sanders, and Flathead Counties) and Airshed 3B (which includes Missoula County).