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Residents report heavy smoke; council weighs DEQ and county sanitarian options
Summary
Councilman Kyle Vennes reported complaints that smoke from a neighbor's chimney was affecting a local church; DES Coordinator Desiree Thielen said Fallon County currently lacks a sanitarian and that the county or DEQ could be contacted for air-quality assistance, though outcomes are uncertain.
Councilman Kyle Vennes told the council he had received a report that smoke from a nearby residence was traveling to a church and affecting air quality. Vennes said he had spoken with a Montana State Fire trainer, who recommended contacting the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the county sanitarian. DES Coordinator Desiree Thielen said Fallon County does not currently have a sanitarian on staff and that DEQ could be contacted to assess air quality, but she did not know whether DEQ would conduct testing or what the likely response would be.
The council discussed the practical problem that the chimney may not be high enough to disperse smoke away from neighboring houses and whether any legal means exist to compel a resident to extend a chimney. Clerk Bondell asked if there was legal authority to force a chimney extension; council members said such action would likely impose costs on the resident and requested follow-up on legal remedies. No enforcement action was taken at the meeting; the matter was noted for further investigation.
Desiree advised the council of the possible contact points (DEQ and county sanitarian) and the limitations the county faces without a sanitarian on staff.
