RESOLUTION
NO. 3756
STAGE
II RESTRICTIONS WITHIN RAVALLI COUNTY
WHEREAS, the BOARD OF RAVALLI
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS established a Ravalli County local fire season on February
28, 2018, as per Resolution No. 3697; and
WHEREAS, the BOARD OF RAVALLI
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS passed Resolution 3758 on July 11, 2018, which restricted
open burning in the County; and
WHEREAS, with multiple
fires active in the region and the lack of resources to bring these under control,
the threat of new fire starts that are resistant to control has created a
substantial hazard to the citizens of the County; and
WHEREAS, the
Commissioners wish to place further exemptions on certain activities within
county lands;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that,
at the request of the Ravalli County Firewarden, pursuant to 7-33-2212 MCA, the
Board of Commissioners designate Ravalli County a high fire hazard area;
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED
the following acts are prohibited at any
time until further notice:
1.
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire
2. Smoking, except
within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while in
an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable
material
3.
The use or fireworks
4.
Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails
The
following acts are prohibited from 1:00
pm to 1:00 am:
1. Operating a
chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for
felling, bucking, skidding, road building or firewood gathering
2.
Outdoor welding, or operating acetylene or other type torch with open flame
3.
Using any explosive
4.
A one-hour patrol in the work area is required following the cessation of all
activities as identified in #1 - #3 above.
IT IS FURTHER
RESOLVED
that the aforementioned restrictions are subject to the following exemptions, which do not relieve an
individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire
started by the exempted activity:
1. Persons with
written authorization from the Ravalli County Commissioners that specifically
authorizes the otherwise prohibited act
2. Within the
confines of residential use, persons using a cooking device fueled by liquid
petroleum fuels that can be turned on and off, or a commercial barbeque that
utilizes charcoal briquettes
3. Operating
generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle
or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and
surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator
4.
Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails
5.
Repair, maintenance and construction of public utilities
6. Persons
conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is
specifically authorized by written posted notice
7. Any Federal,
State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting
force, in the performance of an official duty
8.
All land within a city boundary is exempted
9. Agricultural
activity (other than open burning) unrelated to forest harvest if fire
extinguisher or fire suppression equipment is immediately available
10.
Residential and commercial lawn care
11.
Construction site activities on private lands if:
Fire extinguisher or fire suppression
equipment is immediately available.
IT IS FURTHER
RESOLVED
that this resolution becomes effective Friday,
August 10, 2018 at 12:01 am, and shall remain in effect until such time as
it may be amended or rescinded by Board of County Commissioners action.
PASSED AND
APPROVED THIS 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2018.
BOARD OF RAVALLI
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS