Burn Permits required May 1st-June 30th
Tips: 1) "Apply for Permit" Button is on banner top right
2) Always say No to "Applied for Permit Before"
3) Don't create a profile, email does not function
4) Map link is broken - no need to click on map
5) Permit will not email -
print from PDF after hitting submit at end of process
The Montana state forest fire season is from May 1st through September 30th each year. During this period, permits are required for debris burning. ("Wildfire Season" Definition: 76-13-102 MCA, State Statute 76-13-121 MCA). To satisfy this requirement, burn permits are issued from May 1 to June 30. The Rural Fire Districts in Flathead County and some in Lake County (Rollins, Bigfork, and Ferndale), declare a moratorium on burning through the height of Montana's traditional fire season, from July 1 through September 30. This seasonal closure lasts through the fire season and may be extended as fire conditions dictate.
Permits are required in Flathead and northern Lake Counties outside the Flathead Reservation. Burning is prohibited within city limits of Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish. (See Kalispell City Ordinance 1197, or Whitefish City Ordinances 87-4 and 88-2)
Burn permits are FREE.
Your permit will last from the date issued through June 30. All fires must be completely out before July 1.
One permit per burn address location is required. For example, if you have 3 separate debris piles on your property, you only need one permit. And, if you burn 3 different days on the same property, you only need one permit. But, if you own 2 seperate properties with a debris pile on each, then you will need 2 permits.
In addition to a burn permit, you are required by state law to comply with air quality regulations.
Take advantage of open burning seasons when no permits are required:
Burning is not allowed:
1) Agricultural debris - This debris is created from farming, ranching, and gardening.
If possible, plow or dig a fire control line around the area to be burned and divide large fields into smaller plots to be burned one at a time. If you do not want to burn, your field or garden may benefit if you simply plow the dried plants and leaves under.
2) Wildland debris - This debris is created in two ways.
A. Natural accumulations of needles, grasses, leaves, shrubs, limbs, and trees.
B. Unnatural accumulations of fuel resulting from management activities such as land clearing or timber harvesting.
WHAT CAN'T YOU BURN?
Materials that are prohibited to burn include business waste, treated or painted wood or lumber, tar paper, tires, insulated wire, any salvage, oil products, styrofoam or plastics, food wastes, animal parts or waste, hazardous waste, noxious waste, and any man-made material. Trade Waste permits may be issued for wood or wood by-product trade wastes generated by any business, industry trade, or demolition project. Trade waste permits may be obtained by calling your local city-county health department. For more information, contact the appropriate agency:
In Flathead County call the Flathead City-County Health Department at 751-8130 or Click Here and scroll down.
In Lake County call the CSKT Division of Fire at 676-2550 or the MT DEQ at 444-4267
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE!
Escaped debris fires can threaten valuable resources, as well as lives and property. Follow the information provided under "Tips for burning" to reduce the risk of an escaped debris fire.
Remember, you are responsible for any and all suppression costs if your fire escapes your control! (State Statute 50-63-103 MCA)
BURN ONLY NATURAL VEGETATION AND WOODY MATERIALS
If you intend to burn, have in place:
CAUTION
Do not burn when high or erratic winds are forecast or dry conditions prevail. Do not attempt to bury any burning material as fire can and will burn underground, sometimes for several months!
BURN BARRELS
Burn barrels should not be used to burn garbage. | ![]() |
If burn barrels are used, please burn only agricultural or wildland debris. |
ALTERNATIVES TO BURNING
Dec 1 - Feb 28 |
No burning due to air quality concerns |
Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Spring open burning season
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May 1 - June 30 |
Burn Permits are required
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July 1 - Sept 30 | No burning allowed due to the increased fire danger of Montana's Fire Season |
Oct 1 - Nov 30 | Fall open burning season
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During the summer, as wild fire danger increases, special fire restrictions may be established by an authority having jurisdiction. Restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire on public or private property.
CLICK HERE to see if wildland fire restrictions have been established in your area.
Helpful Links
Flathead Air Quality Burning Restrictions/Ventilation Hotline: http://flatheadhealth.org/environmental-health/burn-restrictions/
Debris Burning: http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/fire-and-aviation/fire-prevention-and-preparedness/debris-burning-safety
National Weather Service: www.wrh.noaa.gov
Wildland Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/mt/
Fire Safe Montana: http://firesafemt.org/
Fire Ready Montana: http://serve.mt.gov/fire-ready-mt-4/
Firewise: www.firewise.org
Smokey Bear: www.smokeybear.com
InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Videos:
Embracing wildfire safety with Jack Cohen: "If your home doesn't ignite, it can't burn."
"The Fire Line: Wildfire in Colorado" - A special Denver Post Documentary
Contact Us:
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION AIR QUALITY HOTLINE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE |
CALL 911 TO REPORT UNCONTROLLED OR UNATTENDED FIRES