Outdoor Burning
The General, Essential Agricultural, and Prescribed Wildland burn seasons are Open as of March 1, 2026.
Outdoor Burning Permits
All burns require a permit, which you may obtain and activate online using the button below. Outdoor burn permits cost $7.00. You can pay online using a credit card or electronic check or if you prefer to purchase your permit in person you may come in to our office at 301 W Alder on the 2nd floor. Review the Types of Outdoor Burn Permits below to select the correct permit for your type of burn.
What Is Outdoor Burning?
Outdoor burning is the burning of natural vegetation and untreated wood outside that was generated on-site with or without a receptable.
What is BACT? All outdoor burners must follow BACT methods.
BACT stands for Best Available Control Technology. BACT methods include controlling pollutants from an outdoor burning source that limit emissions to the maximum degree achievable. Such methods may include the following:
- burning during seasons and periods of good or excellent ventilation,
- using dispersion forecasts and predictive modeling to minimize smoke impacts,
- limiting the amount of burning at any one time,
- using burning techniques that minimize smoke production,
- minimizing dirt in piles and minimizing moisture content of target fuels,
- ensuring adequate air to fuel ratios,
- prioritizing burns as to air quality impact and assigning control techniques accordingly, and
- promoting alternative uses of materials to be burned.
BACT includes but is not limited to following all conditions of the outdoor burning permits and all restrictions announced by the department. For members of the Airshed Group, BACT includes but is not limited to following all restrictions called by the Monitoring Unit and DEQ
Types of Outdoor Burn Permits
General Outdoor Burning Permit – March 1 to August 31
General Outdoor Burning Permits can be purchased at burn.egovmt.com.
Essential Agricultural Outdoor Burning Permit – March 1 to October 31
An Essential Agricultural Outdoor Burning Permit is for any outdoor burning conducted on a farm or ranch when no reasonable alternative of disposal is available to (a) eliminate excess vegetative matter from an irrigation ditch when no reasonable alternative method of disposal is available; (b) eliminate excess vegetative matter from cultivated fields; (c) improve range conditions; or (d) improve wildlife habitat. MCCAPCP Rule 7.101 (7)
Essential Agricultural Outdoor Burning Permits can be purchased at burn.egovmt.com.
Prescribed Wildland Outdoor Burning Permit – March 1 to November 30
A Prescribed Wildland Outdoor Burning Permit is for any planned outdoor burning, either deliberately or naturally ignited, that is conducted on forest land or relatively undeveloped rangeland to (a) improve wildlife habitat; (b) improve range conditions; (c) promote forest regeneration; (d) reduce fire hazards resulting form forestry practices, including reduction of log deck debris when the log desk is close to a timber harvest site; (e) control forest pests and disease; or (f) promote any other accepted silvicultural practices. MCCAPCP Rule 7.101 (12)
Prescribed Wildland Outdoor Burning Permits can be purchased at burn.egovmt.com.
Essential Prescribed Wildland Permit – December 1 to February 28
An Essential Prescribed Wildland Permit is for any planned outdoor burning that is considered under the Prescribed Wildland Permit but occurs between December 1 to February 28. These permits require an application ($100 application fee) demonstrating why the burning must be conducted outside of the regular outdoor burning season. It also requires the person in charge of the burn to take a winter burning certification exam ($30 exam fee). Specific burn authorization from the department is required prior to burning.
Major Outdoor Burning Source Permit – March 1 to November 30
A Major Outdoor Burning Source Permit is for any person conducting outdoor burning that within Missoula County will emit more than 500 tons per calendar year of carbon monoxide or 50 tons per calendar year of any other pollutant regulated under the Air Program, except hydrocarbons. MCCAPCP Rule 7.101 (9)
Major Outdoor Burning Sources should email [email protected] for additional application materials and requirements.
Ceremonial Bonfire Permit – Year Round
A Ceremonial Bonfire Permit is for a fire larger than two feet in diameter conducted for a celebration of an event by a qualifying organization such as schools, non-profit organizations, government entities, associations, or religious organizations. Bonfire permit applicant must obtain signatures from the local police and fire department before the Health Department approves. The bonfire can only take place when air quality is Good or Moderate.
Visit the Health Department at 301 W Alder St or email [email protected] for details about the bonfire permit.
Conditional Outdoor Burning Permit – March 1 to October 31
A Conditional Outdoor Burning Permit is for the disposal of (a) untreated wood and untreated wood by-product trade wastes by any business, trade, industry, (b) untreated wood from a demolition project, or (c) untreated wood waste at a licensed landfill site if the department determines that (i) the outdoor burning will occur at an approved burn site, as designated in the solid waste management system license issued by the DEQ, and (iI) the pile is inspected by the department and only natural vegetation and clean, untreated lumber are present. MCCAPCP Rule 7.110 (1)
Conditional Outdoor Burning Permits are only issued if the department determines that alternative methods of disposal would result in extreme economic hardship to the applicant, that emissions from burning will not endanger public health or contribute to a violation of the NAAQS, and that the burning won’t occur in the Air Stagnation Zone unless it is done in an air curtain burner.
Contact [email protected] for more information regarding a Conditional Outdoor Burning Permit
Fire Fighter Training Permit – Year Round
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Emergency Permit – Year Round
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Excavation Thawing Permit – Year Round
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Commercial Film Production Permit – March 1 to November 30
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Christmas Tree Waste – March 1 to August 31
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Recreational Fires – Year Round – OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS
No permit required. An attended fire two feet in diameter or less for the purpose of recreation. If the purpose of the fire is to dispose of material being burned, it is not considered a recreational fire.
Outdoor Burning Restriction Forecast
The General, Essential Agricultural, and Prescribed Wildland burn seasons are open as of March 1, 2026.
The outdoor burning restriction forecast is subject to change as weather forecasts change. Check burn.egovmt.com for current daily restrictions.
| Date | March 10 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 |
| Open Burning Zones | Airshed 3A Airshed 3B Airshed 2 | Airshed 3A Airshed 3B Airshed 2 | Airshed 3A Airshed 3B Airshed 2 | Airshed 3A Airshed 3B Airshed 2 |
| Restricted Zones | None | None | None | None |
| Restriction Details | None | None | None | None |