Commission lifts stage-one fire restrictions, reopens permitted open burning

Beaverhead County commissioners voted on a motion to lift stage-one fire restrictions and to reopen permitted open burning, citing recent rain and lowered fire danger across the county. After a brief discussion about the ability to reclose on red-flag days, the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

A commissioner who moved the motion argued current conditions had improved, saying, "we thought we'd go ahead and lift" the restrictions and that staff could close burning again if wind or red-flag conditions return. The chair called for the vote and directed staff to provide a typed record for the regional committee that tracks restrictions.

The commission emphasized that open burning will require a permit; they also said that lifting stage one is done by motion of the commission rather than by a formal resolution. Staff were asked to circulate the written motion to partner agencies and to the county record.