Valley County Burn Ban Lifted

The three Valley County Commissioners have lifted the burn ban, allowing farmers to burn their fields with a permit from the fire department.

“A burn ban means we won't give any permits for burning,” said Chairman John Fahlgren. “With our recent rains, we've had people call us with situations where it looks like a totally safe thing to do. When we lift the burn ban, what happens is they still have to get approval through dispatch.”

Dispatch all weather information before giving approval on any permits.

“One of the reasons I will vote to lift the burn ban is because dispatch has the say, when they look at the weather and the fire warnings,” said Commissioner Paul Tweten. “If it is too dry, they are not going to give them a burn permit anyway. Even with a burn ban, you can still have a campfire and burn your burn barrels as long as its attended. I don't feel like it is going to be any more of a danger.”

Fahlgren agreed.

“From a farmer's stand point, this is a window where the grass starts getting tall and you've got to clean ditches. A couple of the calls we've had … it sounds like you are totally safe to do it.”

The end of the ban does not impact Valley County residents living on Fort Peck Tribes reservation land, as those areas still remain under a burn ban.

“The dispatchers will ask them where they are at, and whether they are on the reservation or not,” said Commissioner Mary Armstrong.

Otherwise, permits be granted or denied on a case by case basis.

“If it is questionable they will call the chief,” Tweten said.