Burn bans, restrictions in place or starting

Local counties are putting burn bans and fire restrictions into place as the hot, dry weather continues.

Chouteau County is in a burn ban Liberty County has Stage 2 fire restrictions, Blaine County started a burn ban at 2 p.m. Tuesday and Hill County is starting a burn ban that will take effect Friday at 12:01 a.m., a ban that prohibits open burning, and the issuing of the licenses usually required to do said burning legally.

Under the ban, open burning permits will not be issued.

Open burning always requires a permit and is defined as a fire where any material is burned in the open air on the ground or in an open receptacle other than a furnaces, incinerator or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney. This includes burning yard and construction debris, as well as brush.

Exceptions include recreational camp fires as long as they are in established fire pits of fire rings.

Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson said a number of counties in Montana, including Daniels County and Roosevelt County, have implemented their own burn bans, and both Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap have entered Stage 1 fire restrictions.

He said Fergus and Valley counties are also discussing possible action.

Peterson said while the rural fire departments are prepared for the situation, they and the commission are still worried about the dry conditions and the possibility of fires.

“We’re definitely concerned,” he said.

He said people need to be aware of their surroundings, be cautious around anything flammable, and should keep some equipment to put out a fire with them as much as possible, even if it’s just a shovel.

“It’s definitely dry and we’re asking people to be aware,” he said.

He said no one knows when they’re going to be driving behind someone with a hot ball bearing, and if a fire starts in the ditch it’s best to put it out immediately before it gets out of hand.

Peterson also said, per a recently issued ordinance, that no fireworks are allowed in Beaver Creek under any circumstances.

The Liberty County Commission’s website reports that county has implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to the extreme fire conditions. The following are prohibited under further notice:

1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

3. The following acts are prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• Operating any internal combustion engine.

• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

• Using an explosive including, but not limited to, fireworks.

4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Written exception is made for agriculture related practices.

Noncompliance could result in civil fines and/or criminal prosecution. 

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Havre Daily News editor Tim Leeds contributed to this report