DEQ announces open burning season

The Montana open burning season begins today – March 1. While burning is allowed year-round, there are different restrictions and requirements throughout the seasons. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reminds Montanans to comply with air quality rules, use good burning practices to minimize smoke and use good judgment to prevent wildfires.

To burn March 1 through Aug, 31, please follow the below steps:

• Obtain a permit from your local fire control authority. 

• Check with your local air quality program for any restrictions. 

• On the day of your burn, activate your county permit. 

Be aware of local conditions and burn smart.  

• Check back on Sept. 1 for fall burning restrictions. 

To obtain a permit, go to: https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit If your county is not listed on the website, call your local fire control authority to obtain one. 

While approval from DEQ is not required during open burn season, contact local fire control authorities prior to burning to get permission and information on local fire safety-related requirements. DEQ also recommends contacting your county health department to determine whether any county level air quality requirements exist. Open burning must comply with local regulations. 

Only clean, untreated wood and plant material can be burned. Do not burn: food wastes, plastics, wood that has been coated, painted, stained, or treated, dead animals or animal droppings, rubber materials, chemicals, asphalt shingles, tar paper, hazardous wastes or structures containing these materials. A full list of prohibited materials can be found on DEQ’s open burning website at: https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/burning

Open burning season will end on Aug. 31. For more information on air quality related open burning rules, prohibited materials, frequently asked questions and state permit requirements, please visit DEQ’s open burning webpage at: https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/burning or call 406-444-3490.