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Missoula Rural Fire District reports spike in April calls, warns of likely active wildfire season
Summary
Deputy Chief Corey Horsens told the council that April calls from Station 5 in Lolo rose to 69 from 40 last April; the district warned residents to secure burn permits, prepare defensible space and sign up for Smart 9-1-1 before summer wildfire season.
Deputy Chief Corey Horsens of the Missoula Rural Fire District told the Lolo Community Council that April activity increased locally and that the summer wildfire forecast suggests a higher-than-average season.
"69 calls from fire station 5 here in Lolo in the month of April, compared to 40 the same month last year," Horsens said, reporting a sharp month-over-month increase in local calls. He added that year-to-date totals were in line with last year overall.
Why it matters: Horsens said the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation forecast higher-than-normal temperatures and lower precipitation this summer, increasing the risk of active wildfire conditions in the valley. He urged residents to exercise caution when burning, to obtain and activate burn permits daily, and to clear gutters and vegetation around homes.
Key public-safety guidance
- Open burning: Burn permits are required for controlled burns; activate permits each day you burn. Have a shovel and a hose on hand and avoid burning when winds are forecast.
- Wildland season readiness: May is wildland fire preparedness month; residents should sign up for Smart 9-1-1 to record critical property information for responders.
- Evacuation behavior: Horsens said officials are more effective when residents evacuate under orders and urged compliance with evacuation directives.
Other community safety tools
Horsens also encouraged use of PulsePoint (a bystander CPR alert app) for those trained in CPR, and he left signup flyers and information at the back table following his presentation.
Ending: precautions for residents
The deputy chief recommended spring yard work, cleaning gutters and keeping lawns watered to reduce ignition intensity, and to sign up for local alerts and preparedness resources well before the fire season peaks.
