Open Burning Safety

Submitted by Raymond Ragsdale

Now that Old Man Winter has released his grasp on us, it is time to start getting outside and cleaning up yards and properties. With that comes open burning season in Montana. While it seems like we just had snow on the ground, fuels that had cured last summer do not reabsorb much moister over the winter, and they will only need a few warm days and a little wind to be ready to burn again. Already in eastern Montana controlled fires have escaped and caused damage. Broadus Volunteer Fire Department would like to offer some safety reminders to help keep your burn an uneventful one:

• Make sure you have a current burn permit and that you activate it each day you intend to burn. Be sure to follow the rules on your permit.

• Check the expected weather before lighting your burn. If winds are expected before your burn will be complete hold off and burn a different day. Be prepared for unexpected changes in weather, such as afternoon breezes or a sudden storm with winds.

• Make sure that you only burn clean, dry natural materials. Materials such as trade-wastes, painted or stained woods, plastics, garbage and any other man-made materials are forbidden to be burned, as they create air-pollution and can cause dangerous events during your burn, such as small explosions.

• Have a water source near-by, for example a garden hose, that can reach the entire burn. Consider wetting down the area around your burn pile to prevent it from spreading. You should also have hand tools available.

• Consider breaking down large piles into smaller piles before you burn. Smaller piles are much easier to control and as they burn down you can feed more material into the burn.

• Make sure your burn pile is well away from any structures, cars or other items that you do not want to burn.

• Never leave your burn unattended, even for a moment. It only takes a split second for a burn to escape and do serious damage.

• Make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving it. Soak the remnants and mix them with hand tools, then feel for heat. If the remnant are too hot to touch with an ungloved hand the fire is not out and should be soaked more. Some burns have reignited days after they were believed to be out.

• If your fire escapes or you feel like it is getting out of control call 911 immediately. It is much better to have fire fighters respond early and assist you, rather than having your fire get away and cause serious damage.

Small recreational cooking or camp fires do not require a permit as long as they are no bigger than two feet by two feet, but these fires should still be monitored while burning, and completely extinguished before leaving them.