Gallatin Gateway Fire Department Hosts Community B-B-Q, Shares Fire Safety Tips

BOZEMAN, Mont. — As spring has arrived in Montana, rising temperatures have those in Gallatin County looking ahead to fire season, as Gallatin Gateway firefighters shared safety advice during a community barbecue on Saturday, May 2nd.  

“We’re grilling burgers this afternoon and we’re just looking forward to meeting people and interacting with folks and having a great time on a beautiful, beautiful day,” said Mines. 

Ray Mines, a former news reporter, now turned Gallatin Gateway chief medical officer, said warmer weather can quickly change fire conditions as summer gets closer. 

Mines says that to get ahead of fires starting, crews watch for heat drying out grass and trees, the impact of high winds, lower humidity and less moisture in the ground. 

“The warmer the weather gets, that heat drying out, the fuels that we have around us, the grass first and then the trees, as wind picks up. Those are all things that we look for,” Mines stated. 

“So, the drier the conditions, the less moisture that’s in the ground and in the trees and strong winds, lower relative humidities are all factors that we take into consideration.”  

The barbecue event, held at Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply in Four Corners, brought community members together while also giving firefighters a chance to talk about fire safety around homes and outdoor burning. 

“Be careful with what is gathering around your homes, what’s in your yards. Keep an eye on those things, pay attention to the weather and be very, very careful if you are burning anything outside,” said Mines.  

Mines says outdoor fire safety starts with having water or another way to put out flames nearby.  

He also said campfires should be fully out before anyone leaves the area. 

“If you’re having a fire outside, making sure that you’ve got some water or something nearby that you can use to douse a fire and if you start a campfire at night, make sure that it’s out before you leave that fire,” said Mines.  

He also shared the first step during an emergency. 

“Call 9-1-1...that is the first thing to do,” said Ray Mines.  

More fire safety information may be available through the Gallatin Gateway Fire Department Facebook Page.