October marks start of open debris burning season

Autumn has begun, bringing with it open debris burning season on Oct. 1.

During open burning which runs through Nov. 30, residents do not need a burn permit, Prevention Specialist with the Division of Fire CT Camel said last Thursday.

According to literature supplied by the DOF, only two types of burning are allowed in the state of Montana: agricultural debris and wildland debris.

Agricultural debris is debris created from farming, ranching and gardening.

Wildland debris is the result of two causes, including natural accumulation of needles, grasses, leaves, shrubs, limbs and trees, as well as unnatural accumulations of fuel resulting from management activities such as land clearing or timber harvesting.

Residents are not allowed to burn garbage, Camel said, including but not limited to tires, insulated wire and Styrofoam.

Camel said that those planning on an open burn should take weather into consideration and if the wind is gusty, hold off until the forecast shows some stabilization.

He also said that anyone interested in using burn barrels should only burn agricultural or wildland debris, not garbage.

Some open burn safety tips from the DOF state:

- that a 10-foot radius should surround your fire.

- Keep the burn pile small, in an area 4-feet-by-4-feet.

- Stay with the fire until it is completely out.

- Do not use gas or other accelerants.

The open burning season is part of a cycle, Camel said, that will be followed by a closed burning period from December 1 through the end of February.

On March 1 through April, open debris burning is allowed.

In the months of May and June, a permit is needed on the reservation, Camel said.

More information regarding burn permits and guidelines is at csktfire.org.