Open Burning Notes - Courtesy of The Yaak.com

OPEN BURNING NOTES

Open burning not allowed until March.
Don’t torch those piles of debris just yet - open burning doesn’t officially begin until March 1.
Statewide, open burning is allowed from March 1 to Aug. 31, unless unusually dry conditions or air quality problems prompt officials to change those dates.

The law will be enforced by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and violators could receive a letter from the department.

“Open burning is not allowed in the state during the months of December, January and February,” Ravalli County Environmental Health Specialist Rod Daniel said. “The reason why is typically that’s the time when our air is stagnant and there is not good dispersion.” Thiis applies to the Yaak as well.

The county commissioners’ office has been receiving a slew of calls from residents asking when open burning begins.

The burning season allows residents to burn yard debris and brush. However, burning paper, treated wood and other materials is prohibited.

Before any landowner ignites their unwanted debris, a call to the county’s non-emergency dispatch number, 295-7478, is mandatory. That way, if a neighbor reports an out-of-control fire, the dispatch center can determine if it’s a planned fire or a potential wild blaze.

Traditionally, the beginning of the burning season initiates the beginning of a busy season for firefighters around the state. Burning piles of debris can easily turn into an out-of-control blaze.

Officials recommend that residents burn early in the morning before 11 a.m.
When the season begins, some simple steps can be taken to prevent that pile of burning debris from turning into a raging fire.

Call the Troy Ranger Station at 295-7478 or 295-4693 for a burning permit and restrictions.

Let neighbors know you are burning, or better yet, get your neighbors to help.

Be prepared in advance with rakes, shovels and a nearby water source, preferably a hose.

Most importantly, stay with your fire until it is completely out. If it looks like your fire is running
out of control, call your local fire department immediately.


	OPEN BURNING NOTES Open burning not allowed until March. Don’t torch those piles of debris just yet - open burning doesn’t officially begin until March 1. Statewide, open burning is allowed from March 1 to Aug. 31, unless unusually dry conditions or air quality problems prompt officials to change those dates. The law will be enforced by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and violators could receive a letter from the department. “Open burning is not allowed in the state during the months of December, January and February,” Ravalli County Environmental Health Specialist Rod Daniel said. “The reason why is typically that’s the time when our air is stagnant and there is not good dispersion.” Thiis applies to the Yaak as well. The county commissioners’ office has been receiving a slew of calls from residents asking when open burning begins. The burning season allows residents to burn yard debris and brush. However, burning paper, treated wood and other materials is prohibited. Before any landowner ignites their unwanted debris, a call to the county’s non-emergency dispatch number, 295-7478, is mandatory. That way, if a neighbor reports an out-of-control fire, the dispatch center can determine if it’s a planned fire or a potential wild blaze. Traditionally, the beginning of the burning season initiates the beginning of a busy season for firefighters around the state. Burning piles of debris can easily turn into an out-of-control blaze. Officials recommend that residents burn early in the morning before 11 a.m. When the season begins, some simple steps can be taken to prevent that pile of burning debris from turning into a raging fire. Call the Troy Ranger Station at 295-7478 or 295-4693 for a burning permit and restrictions. Let neighbors know you are burning, or better yet, get your neighbors to help. Be prepared in advance with rakes, shovels and a nearby water source, preferably a hose. Most importantly, stay with your fire until it is completely out. If it looks like your fire is running out of control, call your local fire department immediately.