Smoke is a common sight in our Bitterroot Valley whether it is spring, summer, winter, or fall. During the summer months, smoke from wildfires in neighboring counties, states, or Canada may be the culprit, but in the spring and fall the smoke is usually home grown. It primarily comes from residents burning debris piles, prescribed fires, or agricultural burns. Safe, controlled fire is a great way to dispose of yard waste, slash and dead vegetation. It promotes new growth and restores nutrients to the system, but the smoke that it creates can be hazardous to public health. While wildfire smoke is more hazardous to health than prescribed fire smoke, it is important that we work to manage the smoke that we can to reduce the impacts as best we can.
There are ways to burn debris piles and produce less smoke. The Fire in the Root Council is hosting a free workshop on Saturday, April 6th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the main Victor Fire Hall on Meridian Road to show any that are interested just how to do this. Dr. Peter Kolb, MSU Extension Forestry Specialist, will provide an in-depth presentation on the science and strategies for burning debris with reduced smoke and greater efficiency. He will include instruction on pile construction techniques, weather analysis, and proper burn timing. Following Dr. Kolb’s presentation, attendees may enjoy a free lunch while observing a chainsaw safety demonstration by Team Rubicon, learn about the burn permit process from the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management, and gather information on smoke management resources and wildfire preparedness. The workshop will conclude with the active burning of three debris piles. One will be a poorly constructed pile, the second a well-constructed pile, and the third one of junipers (nicknamed “gas cans” by firefighters). Attendees will see the difference in smoke production and how efficiently the piles burn.
“This will be a great opportunity for our community to hear from Dr. Kolb on how to plan our own debris burning projects. He has a wealth of information and will explain not only how to burn safely, but how weather forecasting and air quality issues are important factors to consider,” explains Judy Anderson, Ravalli County resident and co-chair of the Fire in the Root Council.
Kristin Mortenson, Community Preparedness & Fire Prevention Specialist with the Southwestern Land Office of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, adds that “Ravalli County wildfires were predominantly human caused in 2023, with the #1 ignition source being escaped debris burns. Smoke is a very real health concern, and escaped debris burns are a very real hazard, which is why the Fire in the Root Council asked Dr. Kolb to help us address both here in the Valley.”
There is no cost to attend and free lunch will be provided to all that RSVP. Attendees will also have a chance to win a Winix purifier ($130 value). Visit fireintheroot.org for more information and to secure your free lunch.
The Fire in the Root Council is a collaborative group of Ravalli County residents, local interest and business groups, and government partners dedicated to facilitating the reduction of wildfire risk throughout the Bitterroot Valley.