MINERAL COUNTY - Despite cold weather and moisture, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the postponing of open burning season still remains. 

According to Bob Derleth, Fire Management Officer with the Superior Ranger District, campfires are now permitted in the National Forests but the burning restrictions for private lands have not been lifted. 

“We did get a pretty good rain, but its just one rain,” Derleth said. “It didn’t rain everywhere and the weather is supposed to get better here too.” 

Derleth added that the Mineral County Commissioners would be discussing whether or not to lift the burn restrictions and begin open burning season at their regular meetings today. 

Traditionally October 1 marks the beginning of open burning season, however due to current “extreme” fire danger ratings in western Montana the Ranger District will wait to establish the season until the danger diminishes. 

“Anyone living in the area the past several weeks fully realizes that wildfire season is still with us, as evidenced by thick smoke blanketing western Montana on a daily basis recently,” a Superior Ranger District press release reads. “Health advisories concerning the smoky conditions have been issued across western Montana during the past few weeks. The Forest Service is continuing to staff initial attack forces both locally and across the Pacific Northwest as the normal, wetter fall weather pattern has failed to materialize yet. Local firefighters have responded to several human-caused fires in September.” 

The press release states that even though Mineral County has not been affected by wildfires as severely as neighboring counties, “the situation remains dangerous, and very smoky.” 

Derleth was at the public comment portion of the Mineral County Commissioners meeting on September 19 to ask the commissioners to keep current Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect until further notice. 

“We have had record dry weather and heat,” Derleth said. “I am concerned a lot of people are going to think they can burn come October 1 – but it would be a bad thing to do.” 

Derleth said that the reasoning behind keeping the restrictions is to allow for a “good, wetting” rain to occur so residents of the county can safely conduct open burning.