HAMILTON - The fire danger on the Bitterroot National Forest has been increased to “high” due to extremely hot weather and dry fuel conditions.
Forest officials note that when fire danger is “high,” fires will start from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly, and short-distance spotting is common.
All fine dead fuels ignite readily, and unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. High intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult.
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“We had cool spring weather, but conditions are drying out quickly due to increased temperatures, gusty winds, and low relative humidity,” said Fuels Specialist Dave Tingley. “Vegetation is drying out quickly this year, and spring rains resulted in a good crop of grass that can feed a wildfire. Continued hot and dry weather is predicted for the next several weeks.”
Fires at lower elevations are more likely to spread in valley bottoms as grasses begin to cure. As the fuel moistures in the larger forest fuels start to dry out, the Bitterroot National Forest advises that people need to be careful when camping, driving in the backcountry, and cutting firewood.
The change in fire danger coincides with Monday's decision by the Ravalli County Commission to close outdoor debris burning and to suspend the issuing of burn permits. Recreational and cooking fires up to 48 inches are allowed as long as fires are fully attended.
The Bitterroot National Forest advises that people planning visits or camping trips to follow the below fire safety tips:
- Keep campfires small and completely extinguish them before leaving camp. The best method is to douse the fire with water, stir the ashes and douse again, making sure that all ashes are cold to the touch. It is illegal to have unattended campfires.
- Smokers should light up only in areas cleared of all flammable debris. Dispose of smoking materials in vehicle ashtrays or crush smoking materials and matches dead out on bare ground larger than 3 feet in diameter. Cigarette butts should never be thrown from vehicle windows.
- Those exploring the forest and backcountry in vehicles must stay on established roads and trails and avoid driving over dry grass and brush that could be ignited by hot exhaust systems.
- Ensure safety chains on trailers or other equipment do not drag, causing sparks.
- Make sure all mechanical outdoor equipment, such as chainsaws and off-road vehicles, are equipped with properly working mufflers, spark arresters, and bearings.
- Fireworks are illegal on public lands: every forest, every campsite, every day. Never light fireworks in the woods.
- Recreational shooting? Take precautions! Never shoot into dry vegetation and always make sure you’re shooting in a safe location, away from roads, trails, campsites, and occupied areas. Be aware that shooting exploding targets is prohibited on National Forest System lands. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting.
- Know before you go. Always check with your local Ranger Station prior to your trip to get the most up-to-date information on fire danger and fire restrictions for the area.
Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for the latest on fire restrictions and local fire information across Montana.
So far this year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have extinguished four human-caused fires and seven lightning fires.
