Permits for burning will be required as of May 1

Burning Permits will be required Friday, May 1 through Monday, June 30, 2015.  

For Flathead County and the Northern Lake County fire districts of Rollins, Bigfork, Ferndale, and Swan Lake go to: www.firesafekalispell.com. Fill out the on-line application and a permit will be generated and e-mailed to you.  Be sure to have a copy of your permit with you when you burn.  This option is available to the public 24/7 and is free of charge.  One permit will be required for each location you burn, but the permit will be good through June 30th.  No burning is allowed July 1st through September 30th.  

Those without Internet access can seek assistance at several locations across the Flathead Valley.  Stop by any of the following offices Monday through Friday during regular business hours: the DNRC office in Kalispell at 655 Timberwolf Parkway, the DNRC office in Olney at 7425 Hwy 93 N, Flathead County Environmental Health on the second floor of the Earl Bennett Building at 1035 1st Ave. West in Kalispell, or the Bigfork Fire Department at 810 Grand Ave. in Bigfork.     

Burn permits are not valid within the city limits of Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

It is the burners’ responsibility to call the Flathead County Air Quality Hotline at 751-8144, or 1-800-225-6779 in Lake County, before you burn.  Burners are responsible for any and all suppression costs if the fire escapes their control (50-63-103 MCA). Please be fire safe, as escaped debris burns are the leading cause of all wildfires in Montana.  Don’t leave your fire unattended and don’t burn when windy. Thank you in advance for being a responsible burner. Your cooperation is appreciated. 

Bigfork Fire Department will be providing fire and EMS for the Spartan Races, May 9 and 10. Happy Mother’s Day, May 10, from the Bigfork Fire Department. 

As of April 27, Bigfork Fire Department has responded to sixty-seven (67) incidents: Grass fire (2), Land medical Helicopter (1), Medical assist (1), Emergency medical service (3), EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury (49), Vehicle accident with injuries (3), Motor vehicle accident with no injuries (4), EMS standby (1), Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) (1), Power line down (1), Detector activation, no fire (1). 

Be safe!

Loeffler is the Bigfork Fire Department Chief