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Open Burning Information

Spring/ Summer Open Burning Season

Open Burn Season (March - August):

March through August Open Burning Instructions:

How To Burn:

  1. Obtain a permit from your local county fire control authority (many counties can be found here).
  2. On the day of your burn, activate your county permit here.
  3. Be aware of local conditions and burn smart.
  4. Check back here on September 1 for fall burning restrictions.

Seasonal Burning Instructions

 

Burning December though February Instructions:

One or two weeks before you wish to burn:

  • Confirm you are in the western burn zone here.
  • Obtain a permit from your local county fire control authority (many counties can be found here)
  • Submit a “Winter Time Open Burning Request Form” to the DEQ. Call 406-444-3490 or download the PDF or Word version.
  • You will receive an email from DEQMTSmoke@mt.gov with the status of your burn. 
    1. If your burn application is approved, the email will include a Burner Identification Number (Burner ID).
  • Confirm that your burn location is correct by searching for your BIN number in the map below.
    1. If your burn is not in the correct location, please call 406-444-3490 or email DEQMTSmoke@mt.gov

One or two days before you wish to burn:

  • Read the Air Quality Discussion located below the map to determine what days may be best to burn.

The morning you wish to burn:

  • Read the Air Quality Discussion located below the map to determine what days may be best to burn.
  • Call the meteorologist at 406-444-3490 the morning you would like to burn. 
    1. Be prepared to describe the number of piles you would like to burn that day and the number of hours you plan to burn.
    2. The meteorologist will either approve, approve with specified conditions, or deny your request.
    3. Once a decision has been made, the requested burn will appear on the map below.
  • If your burn has been approved, activate you local county fire control permit (many counties can be found here)

After you have completed all burns for the winter season:

  • If you have completed all burning for the winter season, please call 406-444-3490 or email DEQMTSmoke@mt.gov to remove your Burner ID from the website.
Burning September through November Instructions:

During the fall season, burning is regulated by county in the western burn zone. Each day, county restrictions are posted on this website (burnclosures.mt.gov) and on the ventilation hotline 800-225-6779.

To determine if you can burn:

  1. Obtain a permit from your local county fire control authority (many counties can be found here).
  2. Determine if you are in the western or eastern burn zone.
  3. If you are in the western burn zone:
    1. Check this website or call the Ventilation Hotline at 800-225-6779 for any air quality restrictions the day of the burn.
    2. If there are no restrictions for either fire danger or air quality be aware of local conditions and burn smart.
  4. If you are in the eastern burn zone, Be aware of local conditions and burn smart.

Please call 406-444-3490 if you have any questions.