All burns require a permit, which you may obtain and activate online from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Outdoor burn permits cost $7. You can pay online using a credit card or electronic check. 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.
Burn Restriction Forecast
The outdoor burning restriction forecast is subject to change as weather forecasts change. Check burn.egovmt.com for current daily restrictions and to view active burns in Missoula County. Call 406-258-4755 for an outlook on future restrictions in your area.
Outdoor burning restrictions are typically set between 4-5pm the day prior. Restrictions for Saturday to Monday are determined on Friday. This forecast details what restrictions are being considered. The burn permit system will reflect active restriction decisions.
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Nov. 3 |
Nov. 4 |
Nov. 5 |
Nov. 6 |
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Open: |
Countywide above 4.5kft |
Countywide above 4.5kft |
Likely countywide |
Likely countywide |
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Restrictions: |
Countywide restriction below 4500ft |
Countywide restriction below 4500ft |
Potential for late start or early extinguish time |
Potential for late start or early extinguish time |
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Ventilation: |
Poor |
Poor |
A2: Poor |
A2, A3a: Fair |
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Notes: |
No extended hours permitted |
No extended hours permitted |
Vent. is poor in early morning |
Vent. is poor in early morning |
Definitions and details:
- Zone M: Missoula area, inside Airshed 3a
- Zone PV: Potomac Valley, Inside Airshed 3a
- Zone SL: Seeley Lake, inside Airshed 3b
- A2: Airshed 2, Swan River Watershed
- A3a: Airshed 3a, southern region of county (Frenchtown, Missoula, Lolo, Potomac)
- A3b: Airshed 3b, east central region of county (Clearwater, Seeley Lake)
- Ventilation Rate (Vent or VR) = Transport Winds x Mixing Height; sourced from NRCC
View the outdoor burning zones on the Air Quality Map.
Burn Seasons and Types of Burn Permits
General Outdoor Burning Permits can be purchased at burn.egovmt.com.
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.
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.
An Essential Prescribed Wildland Permit is required 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.
Please contact us for more information about this type of permit.
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.
Please contact us for more information about this type of permit.
Other circumstances
If you're looking for:
- Firefighter training permit (year-round)
- Emergency permit (year-round)
- Excavation thawing permit (year-round)
- Commercial film production permit (March 1 to Nov. 30)
- Christmas tree waste (March 1 to Aug. 31)
All outdoor burners must follow Best Available Control Technology methods
BACT methods include controlling pollutants from an outdoor burning source that limit emissions to the maximum degree achievable, like:
- 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.
Recreational fires are defined as 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. Recreational fires are allowed year-round without a permit, only if the property is outside of city limits.