It's July, it's getting hot and the forecast is calling forvery warm temperatures by week's end.
It's with this in mind that the Missoula County Fire Protection Association has restricted open burning as of today.
Burning permits for Missoula County cannot be activated until this restriction is lifted.
MCFPA chairman, Matt Hall, says the hot, dry weather of the past week - combined with the forecast for more of the same for at least another week - will continue to dry out fuels.
Missoula County's fire danger is currently listed as "Moderate", but Hall says that rating will be re-evaluated on Sunday
He advises people who've already burned debris this spring to check their piles to be doubly safe:
"It's just like checking a campfire to make sure that's cold to the touch...mix and stir and with the back of the hand, get it down in there to make sure there's no heat left."
Campfires are still permitted at this time.