Fire department issues caution after burn pile threatens residence

The Whitefish Fire Department is reminding residents that open burning is not allowed until Oct. 1 after responding to an out of control burn pile on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters were dispatched to burn pile fire at about 2:30 p.m. that was threatening a residence on Bear Trail Lane, according to a press release from the fire department. Firefighters encountered a small grass fire burning toward the residence, and eventually burning under a small porch, and near an open garage door in the daylight basement of the residence. Firefighters pulled an attack line and quickly applied water to the fire, stopping the spread.

“The fire was quickly contained, and the residence was not affected due to a quick response by Whitefish Fire Department,” the release notes. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation was also dispatched as mutual aid.

The fire contained paper in a burn barrel that got out of control.

Whitefish Fire is reminding folks that there is no open burning until Oct. 1, and open burning is for natural vegetation only.

There were no reported injuries.