Missoula County fire danger has increased to moderate due to warmer temperatures and dry vegetation. The Missoula County Fire Protection Association announced the change, warning that fires can start easily in open dry grass and move fast when it is windy.

Residents and visitors are asked to be careful with any fire use. Campfires should stay small and be fully put out before anyone leaves. Betsy Pickhardt, community preparedness and fire prevention specialist for the Southwestern Land Office DNRC, urged people to take the conditions seriously.

General, essential agriculture and prescribed wildland outdoor burning seasons remain open in Missoula County. Anyone planning to burn should check the condition of the pile, nearby vegetation and the forecast before starting. The association also said people should activate their burn permit that same day, keep enough people, water and equipment on hand and stay with the fire until it is cold to the touch.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.