Permits

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.

Flathead County , check the ventilation and burning forecast before every burn by calling 751-8144 or at the In, check the ventilation and burning forecast before every burn by calling 751-8144 or at the Flathead City-County Air Quality website . Ventilation forecasts are updated weekdays by 8:40am and 5pm Friday for the weekend.

In Lake County, call 1-800-225-6779 when burning between September 1 - November 30. As of fall 2016, it is no longer necessary to call dispatch before lighting burn piles.

We are only issuing permits on this web page, or over the phone at 752-7376. If a permit is issued over the phone we can email it to you or send it to you via the US Postal Service.



Take advantage of open burning seasons when no permits are required:

In the fall between October 1 - November 30

I n the spring between March 1 - April 30.

Burning is not allowed:

December 1 through February 28 due to winter air quality concerns

July 1 through September 30 due to increased fire danger conditions





