Kootenai National Forest

Fire & Aviation

General Fire Information

Homeowner Wildfire Protection

With the increase in homes being built in the wildland urban interface, protection of those homes presents a difficult challenge for the fire fighting community. The public needs to understand that even though there are numerous resources available to suppress wildland fires, there is still a home owner responsibility to make your home safe from a threatening wildfire. A program called FIREWISE is available which describes what a home owner can do to protect their house from a wildland fire. With little investment and following the guidelines outlined in the program, your home will be safer from an advancing wildland fire. Fires will occur in the wildland urban interface and with advanced planning your home can have a better chance of surviving. Visit the FIREWISE home page for information on what YOU can do.

Safe Debris Burning

Before doing any debris burning, contact your local Ranger Station. There are many factors to consider when planning debris burning. The fire prevention specialist at the local Ranger Station will explain them to you if you need assistance. Some items to consider prior to burning are wind, temperature and dryness. Windy, dry days are not suitable for burning, because of the added danger that the fire will escape your control. YOU are responsible for your fire until it is dead out. Debris fires on the Kootenai account for about 40% of the 145 wildland fires that blacken the Forest each year.

General Rules for Safe Debris Burning:

• Make sure you have a valid permit during the fire season.
• Check with local officials - burning my be prohibited.
• Check the weather - don't burn on dry, windy days
• Local fire officials can recommend a safe way for burning debris. Debris should be placed in a cleared area, away from overhead branches and power lines.
• Check local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
• Consider the alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass, and stubble, may be hauled to the landfill. Only natural vegetation may be burned.

Burning permits are required from May 1 through September 30, the Montana fire season. The public may also burn without a permit from March 1 through April 30 and from October 1 through November 30. Debris burning is not allowed from December 1 through February 28th due to poor air moment causing stagnated air in the valleys.

To determine if it a "good" burning day for smoke dispersion call the Montana Air Quality air restriction line at 1-800-225-6779. For a description of Air Quality and Burn Permit restrictions please see the attached document.

National Fire Plan

A National Fire Plan has been developed through cooperation of all federal agencies to hire and coordinate suppression forces, treat hazardous forest fuels, work with local communities and provide leadership into the 21st century to suppress wildland fires caused by 80 years of fire suppression. The plan provides the funding and guidance to hire, equip and train wildland fire fighters, and reduce hazardous fuels while emphasizing protection and safety of the public and the fire fighters. The National Fire Plan is explained in great detail within the National Fire Plan web page

Contracting for Fire

Both the Kootenai National Forest and the Flathead National Forest hire personnel and equipment to help during the fire season to suppress wild fires. Certain personnel safety requirements must be met prior to being hired which are outlined in the attached document. The document contains a web link to the most recent requirements needed to qualify as these can change periodically.

USDA Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10 December 2003 at 09:04:55 EST