Officials urge fall burning due to COVID-19

While Flathead Valley residents are taking advantage of spring open burning season to get outside, fire experts suggest waiting until later this spring or fall to burn large piles of debris due to the amount of smoke they produce.

Flathead County Fire Service Area Manager Lincoln Chute made some recommendations for those seeking to burn up yard waste that followed high-wind events in the Flathead.

“We have a lot of green limbs down and when they burn, they produce a lot of smoke,” Chute said. “As citizens we should think of how smoke could affect our neighbors.

“It really is the first thing people should be thinking of before they burn,” Chute added.

The Flathead City-County Health Department’s air quality line number is 406-751-8144.

Those with respiratory issues are most affected by smoke and with the COVID-19 pandemic now infiltrating the Flathead, it’s something burners should consider.

“It’s a good idea to pile up all the green limbs and let the wind dry them out so maybe by the end of spring or in the fall, they’ll be dry and produce much less smoke,” Chute said.

Chute also offered tips for burning grass clippings and leaves while also reminding citizens burning garbage is illegal and has been for several years.

“Burning grass clippings creates a lot of smoke and it stinks,” Chute said. “There are many options for them, including composting, taking them to the landfill or cutting grass without a bag and using the clippings to mulch your lawn or garden bed.”

Chute said raking leaves into long, narrow piles will allow the air to dry them and create less smoke when they are burned.

“Round leaf piles just hold the moisture and create more smoke,” Chute said.

Fire experts also said fall is also a preferred time to burn as there is an increased chance of cooler, wetter weather.

According to fire officials with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, spring burns have a higher likelihood of escaping with the afternoon winds. Annually, 70% of wildfires are human-caused, and the majority of those are escaped or illegal debris burns.

Alternatively, people can build and feed manageable hand piles of primarily dead material that will burn hot and with less smoke.

Small piles will also help keep fires under control and minimize unnecessary impact to local emergency responders and firefighters who are already short-staffed and who may experience an increase in medical calls.

The open burning season ends April 30, but air-quality compliance is required. From May 1 to June 30, burning is allowed, but a permit is required from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

No burning is allowed from July 1 to Sept. 30 in Flathead County and some Lake County areas. Those dates may be earlier or later due to fire conditions.

Open burning returns Oct. 1 and ends Nov. 30.

According to Lauren Alley, public information officer for the Flathead National Forest, all planned prescribed fires have been postponed.

For more information on burning and air quality, go to flatheadhealth.org or call 406-751-8101.