Winter Burning Season (December 1 - February 29)

Winter Burning Instructions:

One or two weeks before you wish to burn:

  • 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.

Active Burn Map:

The following county air quality restrictions are in place (see below map for dispersion discussion). If elevation or other restrictions are noted, click on the county to see additional details. "County Restrictions" refer to counties that have their own open burning programs approved by the Board of Environmental Review.  Please see the map "Info" tab for that county, or the county contact information below in order to burn in those counties.

Air Quality and Dispersion Discussion- December 7-9, 2019

Welcome to the winter burning season. Please call 406-444-3490 if you wish to burn. Check here for an overview of air quality and burning opportunities around western Montana.  If you wish to burn over the weekend, you must call before 4 pm on Friday. 

Forecast:

Winter weather will move through the state Saturday night and Sunday. A cold front and low-pressure system will move into Montana beginning on Saturday afternoon. This frontal passage will bring increased winds and improved dispersion this weekend. On Monday, a weak high-pressure ridge will begin to build over western Montana and continue through Tuesday. Wednesday, a shortwave disturbance is expected to move through which will improve dispersion and help to clear out any residual smoke in valleys.

Burning Opportunities:

Saturday and Sunday, unsettled weather will move through, making dispersion conditions good for the weekend. As low-pressure exits the region on Monday, the atmosphere will begin to settle and limit winds and dispersion. Next week, Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be the most ideal days to conduct burning.

To check current air quality - visit Today's Air.

Winter Burning Information

 

 Between December 1 and February 28, the state is divided into two separate zones:

Western Montana Zone:
Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Lewis and Clark, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park (south of I-90)
 




I’m in the western zone. What do I do?
Burner is required to first submit a written request to the Department. Burning is always encouraged before December 1 or after February 28. Only essential winter burning will be considered. To receive the written request form, please call 406-444-3490. Burners may only burn during the times specified by the Department.

Why can't I burn?

Eastern Montana Zone:
Glacier, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Meagher, Wheatland, Park (north of I-90), Toole, Liberty, Hill, Choteau, Blaine, Judith Basin, Fergus, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Golden Valley, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Valley, Garfield, Treasure, Rosebud, Powder River, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Prairie, Wibaux, Dawson, McCone, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels

I’m in the eastern zone. What do I do?
Burner is only required to notify the Department prior to ignition. To notify the Department, and to check for any restrictions, call 406-444-3490.
 

 

Thank you for working with the Air Quality Bureau to accomplish your burn.  

 

County Open Burning Programs

Some counties may have air quality related open burning programs that are approved by the Board of Environmental Review.  Please refer to these counties for air quality related open burning requirements:

Missoula County - All outdoor burning requires a permit through burnpermit.mt.gov. Burns must be activated prior to burning each day and the activation process will alert burners to any restrictions currently in effect.      
     For more information call: 406-258-4755
     Missoula County Open Burning Hotline:  406-258-4900
     Northern Missoula County Open Burning Hotline:  406-677-2899

Flathead County  – 406-751-8144

Yellowstone County – 406-256-6841

Cascade County – 406-454-6800

Lincoln County – 406-283-2444
     Lincoln County Air Quality Hotline - 406-293-5644

 

Open Burning Links

Weather, Air Quality, and Open Burning Brochure

Near real time air quality monitoring information:
http://www.todaysair.mt.gov

Minor Open Burning Requirements Flyer:
Montana Open Burning Periods

State Air Quality Open Burning Permits Webpage:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/airOpenBrn.aspx

Open Burning Rules:
http://deq.mt.gov/dir/legal/Chapters/CH08-06.PDF

Visibility Ranges and Health Effects Categories:
http://deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/VisibilityRanges.aspx

Winter Air Quality Updates:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/AQWinter/default.aspx

Recommendations for safely and effectively using wood burning devices:
http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/

Wildfire Smoke:
http://deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/default.aspx

State Issued Major Open Burning Permits:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/SmokeManagement.aspx

 

Winter Burning Information

 

 Between December 1 and February 28, the state is divided into two separate zones:

Western Montana Zone:
Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Lewis and Clark, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park (south of I-90)
 




I’m in the western zone. What do I do?
Burner is required to first submit a written request to the Department. Burning is always encouraged before December 1 or after February 28. Only essential winter burning will be considered. To receive the written request form, please call 406-444-3490. Burners may only burn during the times specified by the Department.

Why can't I burn?

Eastern Montana Zone:
Glacier, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Meagher, Wheatland, Park (north of I-90), Toole, Liberty, Hill, Choteau, Blaine, Judith Basin, Fergus, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Golden Valley, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Valley, Garfield, Treasure, Rosebud, Powder River, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Prairie, Wibaux, Dawson, McCone, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels

I’m in the eastern zone. What do I do?
Burner is only required to notify the Department prior to ignition. To notify the Department, and to check for any restrictions, call 406-444-3490.
 

 

Thank you for working with the Air Quality Bureau to accomplish your burn.  

 

County Open Burning Programs

Some counties may have air quality related open burning programs that are approved by the Board of Environmental Review.  Please refer to these counties for air quality related open burning requirements:

Missoula County - All outdoor burning requires a permit through burnpermit.mt.gov. Burns must be activated prior to burning each day and the activation process will alert burners to any restrictions currently in effect.      
     For more information call: 406-258-4755
     Missoula County Open Burning Hotline:  406-258-4900
     Northern Missoula County Open Burning Hotline:  406-677-2899

Flathead County  – 406-751-8144

Yellowstone County – 406-256-6841

Cascade County – 406-454-6800

Lincoln County – 406-283-2444
     Lincoln County Air Quality Hotline - 406-293-5644

 

Open Burning Links

Weather, Air Quality, and Open Burning Brochure

Near real time air quality monitoring information:
http://www.todaysair.mt.gov

Minor Open Burning Requirements Flyer:
Montana Open Burning Periods

State Air Quality Open Burning Permits Webpage:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/airOpenBrn.aspx

Open Burning Rules:
http://deq.mt.gov/dir/legal/Chapters/CH08-06.PDF

Visibility Ranges and Health Effects Categories:
http://deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/VisibilityRanges.aspx

Winter Air Quality Updates:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/AQWinter/default.aspx

Recommendations for safely and effectively using wood burning devices:
http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/

Wildfire Smoke:
http://deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/default.aspx

State Issued Major Open Burning Permits:
http://deq.mt.gov/AirQuality/SmokeManagement.aspx