Madison County Enacts Burn/Fireworks Ban

Madison County Board of County Commissioners enacted a burn and fireworks ban today. Citing the extremely dry conditions, record high heat, and lack of precipitation as reasons for the ban. The full ban can be seen below.

RESOLUTION 27 - 2021

A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 26-2021

A BURN BAN/FIREWORKS BAN IN MADISON COUNTY

WHEREAS, high winds, record high temperatures, low relative humidity, lack of precipitation in previous months, and current severe drought conditions within Madison County resulting in dry fuel conditions, poor soil moisture conditions and low water supplies which have contributed to a above normal forecast for a high fire hazard/wildland fire danger; and

WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of Commissioners declares that all the private land not under the jurisdiction of the municipalities or state or federal agencies is a high fire hazard area, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that A Burn Ban, and Fireworks Ban is in effect for all private lands in Madison County, due to HIGH wildland fire danger, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all activities that might potentially cause a fire shall cease immediately and be prohibited until further notice. Activities that might cause a fire include but are not limited to:

NOT ALLOWED:

• No open burning of any kind.

• No use of fireworks.

ALLOWED:

• Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill

• Fires within wood burning stoves within buildings only.

• Fire suppression or fire department training fires.

• Small recreational fires at developed picnic or campground sites contained in fixed permanent metal/steel fire pits (ROCK RINGS ARE CONSIDERED TEMPORARY NOT PERMANENT) with flame lengths not in excess of three feet.

• Residential use of charcoal grills, Tiki torches, fires in chimneys or other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, as long as the fires are supervised by a responsible person at least 18 years old.

• Professional fireworks displays approved by the District Fire Chief for the location of the event.

• Persons with approved exemption that authorizes the prohibited act (exemptions obtained through Madison Office of Emergency Management/Fire Warden)

• Federal Lands are not included in this County Burn Ban. Please check with USFS Office for federal land status or visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/

• Check with local municipalities for ordinances or resolutions concerning the authorized use of fireworks.

Any exemptions to the Burn Ban must be approved in writing by the local District Fire Chief, and the Madison County Fire Warden.

An exemption must be applied for and submitted to the Office of Emergency Management/Fire Warden 5 business days prior to the scheduled event.

AN EXEMPTION DOES NOT ABSOLVE AN INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION FROM LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBLITY FOR ANY FIRE STARTED BY THE EXEMPTED ACTIVITY.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in accordance with MCA section 7-33-2206 any person found in violation maybe charged with a misdemeanor, and may also be billed for the costs of an emergency and/or rural fire department response.

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that this resolution becomes effective once passed and adopted on June 30, 2021 and shall remain in effect until such time as it may temporarily be lifted by the Madison County Fire Warden or amended or rescinded by the Madison County Board of Commissioners.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Madison County Board of County Commissioners this the 30th Day of June, 2021