The Missoula Rural Fire District responded to two grass fires in the Lolo area on Wednesday afternoon.

Crews were dispatched to Michael Lane in Lolo for an out-of-control burn and later responded to another out-of-control burn in the area of mile marker 26 on Highway 12, west of Lolo.

Both became out of control due to wind.

Missoula County opened burning season on March 1. Officials remind residents that all fires require a permit for open burning.

MRFD released the following:

At 1354 hrs. this date, Missoula Rural Fire District was dispatched to Michael Lane in Lolo for an out of control burn. First units on scene reported approximately a quarter acre field of grass and cottonwood trees on fire. No structures were threatened at this incident. The fire was quickly controlled.

While mopping up this incident, MRFD received a second out of control fire in the area of mile marker 26 of Highway 12, just West of Lolo. This dispatch came in at 1456. MRFD was able to clear three units from the Michael Lane fire to respond to Highway 12.

The second fire was also a control burn that had gone out of control. This fire was a little under a half of an acre in size and burning on a steep hillside on a South facing slope. MRFD crews were able to control this fire within a half hour of arrival.

MRFD utilized four engines, three water tenders, and a command unit for these incidents. A special thank you to DNRC for their assistance with the Highway 12 incident.

Missoula County has opened the burning season as of March 1st. All fires require a permit for open burning. Both fires today were permitted fires that got out of control by wind. We would like to remind people that are planning to burn, though early in the season, not to let their guards down. Please burn what you can control with the resources you have. As always, if you feel that your fire is getting out of control, please call 911 so we can get resources there to help.