Burning during any burn season must comply with Air Quality Regulations. Check the Air Quality Forecast prior to burning: 758-5837

Link to Flathead County Heath Department
Link to Interagency Burn Permit Center (IBPC)

Firewise Grant

In 2004 Bigfork Fire District received a federal grant for reducing fire hazards around homes to reduce potential property and home loss from wild fires.  The grant is scheduled to end June of 2006. 

The administrator of the grant is Chuck Harris of Bigfork Fire and Ambulance. The money provides incentive for the home and property owners in the Bigfork, Ferndale, and Swan Lake Fire Districts to reduce wildfire fuels on their private property.  

What to expect:

• Home or property owners will first set up an appointment for the property to be assessed to determine if there is a need for fire hazard reduction.  If fuel reduction is needed, Chuck would then write out a prescription of what needs to be accomplished to create a defensible space around structures. The Ferndale Fire Marshall will assist Chuck with any properties in the Ferndale Fire District.

• The home or property owners would then need to solicit at least two bids from area contractors. (For you convenience a list is available at the Bigfork fire hall office.)  These bids would be turned in to Chuck for approval, the owners will chose who they would prefer do the work.

• After the prescribed work has been completed and the home or property owner is satisfied, the contractor is to be paid in full. Owners would then submit the paid bill and make arrangements for the site to be re-inspected one last time.

• Home and property owners would then be reimbursed for 75% of the costs incurred up to $1500 .  This usually takes approximately one week, but no more than two. 

If you believe you might benefit from this program or would like more information, please give Chuck a call at 837-4590/253-4590 or email him at charris@bigforkfire.com