Montana art contest highlights wildfire prevention

By Nicole Girten DAILY MONTANAN

Second-grader Hale Devins from Seeley Lake Elementary won first place in an art contest to promote wildfire safety, beating out over 800 entries from across Montana.

The theme for the 63rd Keep Montana Green Association statewide art contest was “Go the Extra Mile Each Time You Burn a Pile,” to promote how to safely reduce fuels for wildfires.

The contest comes just months out from the start of wildfire season in the Treasure State, and following a mild winter, low snowpack and drought, smokey skies may be around the corner. With 75% of wildfires being human caused, Keep Montana Green says escaped pile burning, or debris burning to get rid of wildfire fuels that get out of control, is the most common reason for unintentional fires.

Devins’ art will be featured in the annual Keep Montana Green calendar, along with the second and third place winners – Madysen Lines of Browning High School and Logan Kellom of Hobson, respectively. Each statewide winner took home a cash prize of $125.

Entries were judged by originality, design, slogan, artwork, and prevention message by regional Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Land Offices before advancing to the statewide round, judged by DNRC fire and forestry professionals.

“Every year we receive truly wonderful illustrations, and it is always hard to choose a winner. Living in Montana means we must live with fire, but these young artists do a great job envisioning a world with fewer human-caused wildfires,” said Julia Berkey, Keep Montana Green Association executive director in a statement.

Berkey told the Daily Montanan winners are competing mostly within their age divisions, “which allows younger students, like Hale, to have a fighting chance for the top spot against technically stronger students like Madysen.”

Judges use a formula for how top artists compared in their age range, and in this case, Devins’ piece scored higher in the primary division (kindergarten thru 3rd grade) than the second and third place overall winners in their categories.

The Keep Montana Green Association has sponsored 63 art contests since 1961 with the mission of creating a lasting interest in preventing human-caused wildland fires.

The organization provides educators with access to fire safety, prevention, and conservation resources related to the contest.

“Escaped pile burning is our No. 1 cause of human-ignited wildfires in Montana, and it is 100% preventable. That’s why, this year, we chose a theme that encourages the responsible use of pile burning,” said Berkey. “We are hoping educational campaigns such as this can help inspire a new generation of young people who know how to burn their debris piles safely and effectively.”

Keep Montana Green: What do students need to know about safe pile burning?

Only adults should burn piles. Students can help their caregivers out by sharing the following
tips for safe burning.
1. Learn before you burn. Each county may have different rules on when & how to burn – contact your local fire department to learn the outdoor burning laws in your area.
2. Check the weather. Windy conditions can cause sparks from the fire to spread and ignite other fuels.
3. Keep burn piles small. Less than 3 feet across is the recommendation. Bigger piles can cause the fire to get out of control too easily. Only burn yard waste. Do not burn household waste, plastic or tires, which contribute toxic pollutants to the air we breathe.
4. Choose a safe burning site. Locate your burn away from power lines, trees, structures, and equipment. Keep the area around your pile clear of anything flammable out to 10 feet.
5. Have water and hand tools ready. Fire can be unpredictable, so prepare with the necessary tools to manage your fire, such as a shovel, and water source.
6. Have a buddy! There is safety in numbers and having extra hands available will make your burn a lot safer (not to mention, more enjoyable).
7. Never leave your fire unattended. Any accidents that may happen can only be managed if you keep your eyes on your debris burn.
8. Extinguish your burn entirely. Douse your pile with water, stir and then feel that it is cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished completely.