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Missoula Rural Fire reports rising call volume, warns of high fire danger and restrictions on outdoor burning
Summary
Deputy Chief Corey Worsons said May call volume rose about 26% in parts of the district, fire danger is at “high,” outdoor burning is closed and fire district resources have been deployed to other states.
Deputy Chief Corey Worsons of the Missoula Rural Fire Department told the Lolo Community Council on June 10 that the district saw an increase in call volume and that fire danger has shifted to a higher level.
Worsons said the Lolo-area station ran 48 calls in May, compared with 38 in May 2024, a 26% increase for that station. “Of those calls, the vast majority continue to be calls for medical aid,” he said, and he listed vehicle crashes and a recent drowning in Lolo Creek among higher-profile incidents.
“Fire danger ... has moved to high,” Worsons said, and he urged residents to avoid outdoor burning. “Outdoor burning is now closed,” he said, with “very rare exceptions.” He also urged caution around personal fireworks ahead of July 4 and said the department expects wildfire-activity needs to rise as conditions dry further.
Worsons described mutual-aid and reimbursement practices when engines are deployed out of state: the district deploys crews under state and mutual-aid agreements and receives reimbursement that covers personnel and backfill costs while crews are on assignment.
On local enforcement and fireworks, Worsons said recreational fires are permitted in Missoula County outside city limits if contained in a ring and limited to about 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet and using only untreated wood or vegetation. He said recreational fires are not permitted within Missoula city limits (his account said county rules differ from city rules). He advised residents to call 911 if they see unsafe fireworks use or fire on public property and noted the sheriff’s office and county departments coordinate extra patrols around July 4.
Why it matters: The department’s report signals a season of elevated wildfire risk and increased reliance on mutual-aid deployments; it also clarified what constitutes a legal recreational fire in county areas and how residents should report unsafe activity.
Questions from the council and public included enforcement options, whether abandoned properties on the old Lolo school parcel remained a fire hazard and steps the department will take to contact property owners. Worsons said the department had reached out to owners of the abandoned school buildings after prior vandalism and that staff would follow up with owners about vegetation management and security.
