Burning Issue: open burning season

By DAVID REESE

Lake County Leader

For many rural landowners, spring burning is the best way to rid their property of weeds.

But for many landowners the spring burning can turn into a nightmare, as it did for one Polson resident whose ditch burning on Tuesday got out of control, into his lawn, shrubs, and neighbor’s property. Firefighters from Polson Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire, only after it had destroyed much of the resident’s front yard. Karen Sargeant, information officer for Polson Fire Department, said there’s a right way and a wrong way to burn.

First, notify Lake County dispatch about your intentions. Then, check the weather. “If weather conditions are not premier, I will not burn,” Sargeant said.

On Tuesday, Sargeant looked out over the charred, blackened lawn and fenceposts on Flathead View Drive. “This is what happens,” she said. “People think it’s spring and it’s March” so it’s ok to burn.

Fires that are started in the morning will often flare up when winds kick up in the afternoon, she said. “Please watch the weather report,” she said. The fire on Flathead View was helped by strong winds out of the west.

Already this year, with spring burning season starting March 1, the fire department has responded to several out of control fires, Sargeant said.

Although snow was on the ground quite recently, there’s a layer of dry tinder underneath what looks like a harmless lawn or field, Sargeant said. “You just have to be very careful,” she said. “Those very fine fuels burn hot, and they burn fast.” That can put cattle, horses and other livestock in danger if a fire gets out of control, Sargeant said. She noted that people need to call if a fire does get out of control. “We’d rather people call than not call and hope for the best,” she said.

The fire departments usually just hear of the fires that got out of control. Sargeant said many local people can do a proper burn. “We’ve had many successful prescribed burns.”