Outdoor Burning

The General, Essential Agriculture, and Prescribed Wildland outdoor burn seasons are open as of March 1, subject to burn restrictions.

The Air Quality Program at the Missoula Public Health monitors air quality and regulates outdoor air pollution sources such as: industry, wood stoves, fireplaces, outdoor burning and dusty roads.

You can find more information about the current air quality conditions in Missoula County by visiting our Current Air Quality page. You can also see particulate pollution information from Missoula and communities around the state at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Today’s Air website.

Outdoor Burning Permits

All burns require a permit, which you may obtain and activate online using the button below. All 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.

Apply for a Burn Permit

Types of Outdoor Burn Permits

General Permit – March 1 to August 31

Essential Agriculture Permit – March 1 to October 31

Prescribed Wildland Permit – March 1 to November 30

Essential Prescribed Wildland Permit – December 1 to February 28

Major Burner Permit – March 1 to November 30

Ceremonial Bonfire Permit – Year Round

Conditional Permit – March 1 to October 31

Fire Fighter Training Permit – Year Round

Emergency Permit – Year Round

Excavation Thawing Permit – Year Round

Commercial Film Production Permit – March 1 to November 30

Christmas Tree Waste – March 1 to August 31

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 Outdoor Burn, the Essential Agriculture Burn, and the Prescribed Wildland Burn Seasons are open as of March 1, subject to burn restrictions.

The outdoor burning restriction forecast is subject to change as weather forecasts change. Check burn.egovmt.com for current daily restrictions.

Restriction Status	March 24	March 25	March 26	March 27
Open Burning Zone	Airshed 3A Zone M Airshed 3B Airshed 2 Seeley Lake Zone Potomac Zone	Airshed 3A Zone M Airshed 3B Airshed 2 Seeley Lake Zone Potomac Zone	Airshed 3A Airshed 3B Airshed 2	Airshed 3A Zone M Airshed 3B Airshed 2 Seeley Lake Zone Potomac Zone
Restricted Zones	None	None	Potential Elevation Restrictions	None Likely
Restriction Details	NA	NA	Missoula, Seeley Lake, Potomac Zones	NA