Ravalli County Will Close ‘Open Burning’ Season July 13

Following reports from the Bitterroot Fire Council and the Bitterroot National Forest, the Ravalli County Commission voted to close Open Burning in the valley at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning, July 13.

The open burning season was closed about three weeks earlier last year.

There are no restrictions on campfires at this time.

The Bitterroot National Forest reached High Fire Danger last week, according to Mark Wilson, who told the commissioners Monday morning that two more unattended campfires were found over the weekend in the Como Lake and Lick Creek areas. He also said three lightning strikes recently caused small fires in the south end of the valley and on the east side.

Hamilton Volunteer Fire Chief Brad Mohn had earlier polled the other fire chiefs in the county and they all advised to end the open burning period.