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Ravalli County commissioners vote to close outdoor burning effective June 30
Summary
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 4713 to close outdoor burning countywide effective 12:01 a.m. June 30, citing dry conditions and recent fire activity; the board said fireworks sales remain tied to state statute dates of June 24–July 5.
Ravalli County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to adopt Resolution 4713 to close outdoor burning countywide effective 12:01 a.m. June 30.
County staff and the U.S. Forest Service told the board this spring has been unusually dry for the time of year and staff presented a recent tally of local fire activity. “We have the Forest Service here and Ravalli County Fire Chiefs Council is also represented,” a county staff member said while describing requests from local chiefs to restrict burning. Eric, a county staff member who presented response statistics, said the county had recorded two electrical fires, two lightning-caused fires, eight out-of-control burns tied to burn pits or agricultural burning, one lawnmower fire and one fireworks-related fire since June 1.
The board considered an immediate closure but amended the effective date to June 30 to give residents two weekends to complete planned burns. Commissioner Chilcott proposed the later date and said it allows time for people with existing piles to plan while still allowing the board to revisit the date if conditions worsen. “That puts us right before Fourth of July week,” Chilcott said. “If we see a significant uptick in the dryness, we can revisit it and shut it early.”
Mark, a U.S. Forest Service representative, briefed commissioners on regional fire danger, saying parts of the county are in moderate drought with some areas in severe drought and that spring conditions had been near or at record dryness for this time of year. He said staffing and aircraft resources have been supplemented where possible, while noting a portion of local resources were mobilized to support larger fires out of state.
The draft resolution allows fireworks use consistent with the sale dates in state statute; the county brief noted sales dates tied to statute run June 24 through July 5. The board did not change the fireworks dates in the resolution. The final motion to adopt Resolution 4713 as amended carried on a voice vote: Greg — aye; Jeff — aye; and the third commissioner — aye.
The board’s action is a county-level restriction on outdoor burning; officials said it is intended to reduce risk during a period of elevated fire danger and that it can be revisited if conditions change. County staff and the Forest Service encouraged residents to contact local fire authorities with questions about permitted uses and to follow safety guidance until the closure takes effect.
