Open burning season in Flathead County and northern Lake County begins Thursday, Oct. 1. No permits are required, but residents are asked to burn responsibly, particularly since Northwest Montanan hasn’t received much moisture.

Fall open burning season extends through Nov. 30. While no permits are required, air quality compliance is. Call Flathead County Air Quality at 751-8144 for the ventilation forecast.

Be sure to have the proper tools and people to help you burn your pile safely. Remember, if you light it you are responsible for any suppression costs if the fire escapes your control. Build manageable piles and check the weather forecast before you burn. Don’t leave piles unattended and make sure they are dead out. Debris burning is the No. 1 cause of human-caused fires.

If you live in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), the most important area to focus on is the zone immediately surrounding your house, according to a press release. Studies have shown that most home ignitions start from the embers tossed ahead of the main fire. The first 5 feet around your home should be non-combustible. From 0 to 30 feet from your home, landscaping should be “clean and green” with paths, driveways, or an irrigated lawn providing a break in continuous fuels around your home.

For more information about protecting your home and property from wildfire, visit www.firewise.org or contact the fire prevention specialist for the Kalispell Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 751-2270.