Hurry Missoula, You’re Out of Time for Free Storm Debris Disposal

It seems like a job that will never end. But for Missoula residents, time is running out to clear their properties of debris from the July thunderstorm and dispose of it for free.

The city has already had to shut down some of the disposal sites set up after the storm. They're just stuffed. One near Fort Missoula has debris 20 feet deep spread across several acres.

And if you haven't cleared things up, here's why you'd better get busy over the weekend, or be ready to pay to get rid of the mess.

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Tons and tons of trees

The city and county set up several disposal sites within hours of the severe storm blasting through the valley on July 24th, downing or damaging thousands of trees of all shapes and sizes. With just a few days they were already starting to fill up, as residents brought truckload after truckload from their homes, yards, and businesses.

The lot by Dornblaser Stadium closed a few weeks ago. And the Larchmont Triangle lot at Fort Missoula has also been closed for a week. Even so, people have continued to dump there. And that could cause space issues when chipping starts in a few days.

The city's last "free" lot on the Northside is still open but will cease operating next week. And Garden City Compost will start charging as well.

Where can I still leave Missoula storm debris?

The Northside Pit Lot off Scott Street will close permanently on Monday, September 2nd at 8 pm.

Garden City Compost on Clark Lane, closed on Sundays, will continue to take debris, and other non-storm materials, from 8 am to 5 pm. However, normal operations will resume on Tuesday, and that means the city will start charging fees again.

What happens now?

Arrangements are being made now with contractors to bring in huge industrial chippers. I've been told that the equipment is massive, and areas around the disposal lots will be closed as a safety precaution.