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Open burning season officially begins in western Montana March 1, and fire control officials from the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana DNRC are once again urging people to burn safely and responsibly.

Agencies responsible for responding to fires in this area include the U.S. Forest Service offices in Plains and Trout Creek, and the Plains Unit of the DNRC in Plains.

Anyone who lights a fire is responsible for keeping that fire under control. If it escapes and damages or threatens lives and property, or simply requires an agency response, the person who lit it can be held responsible, legally and financially.

Fire control responses have the potential to be quite costly as rolling out fire engines and personnel to a fire start is usually very expensive. Not to mention being a potentially dangerous situation for adjacent landowners.

In order to reduce the chance of an unwanted fire escape, there are several steps that landowners should take prior to burning. Chances of an escaped fire are low if the proper precautions are taken before burning. Before igniting a fire:

* Ensure that an adequate water source is in place and ready to use. Check the water pressure and hose condition before lighting the fire, making sure that everything is in working order and that there is enough hose available to reach anything that might catch fire.

* Have hand tools available and on site. Keep a shovel, rake and/or other hand tools within reach while burning.

* Be a good neighbor and tell someone that you plan on burning, and ensure that you can get extra help if needed. Have a list of phone numbers, including the local fire department and/or dispatch center in case further assistance is required.

* Call the Airshed Hotline at 1-800-225-6779 to see if any air quality restrictions are in place.

* Check the weather forecast before burning and avoid burning during the time of day when winds are usually strongest.

In northwest Montana, open burning is allowed without a permit in the spring months of March and April and again in the fall months of October and November, but a burn permit is usually required for any burning done between May and September.

Open burning is not allowed in the months of December through February due to air quality concerns in the winter months, except by special permit from the Montana DEQ.

Before burning, consider other options for the disposal of unwanted materials as burning is often not the only, or best way to deal with unwanted debris. Before lighting a fire, consider the following:

Is this something that really needs to be burned? Dead grass, garden debris, leaves and conifer needles are all materials that can be composted. This would reduce the need to burn and beneficial compost would be produced.

Is the material being burned dry enough to burn up quickly without smoldering? Wood at the bottom of large piles, particularly if dirt is mixed in, can be very wet during the spring. Left unattended, this wet wood can smolder for weeks or even months and flame up later.

What will the weather be like when you are burning? A sudden increase in wind speed can cause a fire to burn more rapidly and escape control.

Is the debris to be burned drier than the surrounding fuels? It is usually best to burn earlier in the day when the relative humidity is higher. Avoid burning during the warmest part of the day.

Will the fire be watched during the entire time that it is burning? Leaving fires unattended is not allowed according to permit regulations. Make plans to have the fire watched by someone at all times until it is completely out.

Remember that only agricultural or natural debris can be burned during open burning season. Prohibited materials for open burning include treated or painted wood or lumber, tar paper, tires, insulated wire, oil products, Styrofoam, plastics, food wastes, animal parts or waste, hazardous waste, business waste and any manmade materials.

When finished burning, be sure the fire is 100% out. This can be done by feeling the burned area with bare hands for warm spots, or by spraying the area and watching for steam.

Burning is allowed by permit only from May 1 to Sept. 30.

Permits are not required for campfires unless existing fire danger forces the imposition of fire restrictions. Campfires can not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished before leaving the area.

For more information, call the U.S. Forest Service at 826-3821 (in Plains) or at 827-3533 (in Trout Creek), or the Montana Department of State Lands at 826-3851.