Open Burning Permits
The DEQ operates a year round open burning program as well as issues air quality open burning permits for specific types of open burning. For a complete description of the open burning
regulations, please refer to the ARM Title 17 Section 8 Subchapter 6. The flyer Open Burning
and Air Quality discusses issues related to minor open burning.
The following is a list of the types of permits issued by the Air Permitting Program. A DEQ permit must be obtained for these types of burning before burning
begins. The permits and their instructions are available in both PDF and Microsoft WORD formats.
Type of Burning Permit
Type Permit
& Instructions |
Season |
Fee |
Additional Information |
| Trade Waste |
March 1
Through
November 30 |
$100.00 |
Any solid, liquid or gaseous material resulting from the construction or operation of any business, trade, industry, or demolition project. These
permits may be issued for wood or wood byproduct trade wastes generated by any business, industry trade, or demolition project. |
| Landfill |
March 1
Through
November 30 |
Collect from solid waste management system license |
|
| Firefighter Training |
Entire Year |
$25.00 |
All training exercises held by any fire department must have a permit. |
| Emergency Open Burning |
Entire Year |
$100.00 |
Applicant must contact DEQ for further information before burning.
Note: Applicant must demonstrate that the substance to be burned poses an immediate threat to the public health and safety, or plant or animal life, and that no immediate alternative for
disposal is reasonably available. |
| Christmas Tree Waste |
March 1
Through
November 30 |
$100.00 |
For the disposal of Christmas Tree waste from the producers of Christmas Trees. |
| Commercial Film Production |
March 1
Through
November 30 |
$100.00 |
For open burning conducted during commercial film production. |
| Major Open Burning |
Generally
March 1
Through
November 30 |
Greater of $350.00 and fee calculated on previous years burning |
Any source that has the potential to emit 500 tons per calendar year of carbon monoxide or 50 tons per calendar year of any other regulated pollutant.
Note: DEQ (in cooperation with several other counties), operates a Major Open Burning Smoke Management Program. Please see the Smoke Management
Group website. |
| Winter Time Open Burning |
CLOSED:
December 1
Through
February 28 |
No Charge |
Permission for specific burns is approved in cases where burning is considered essential. |
Specific counties or impact zones have their own open burning programs and must be contacted directly to receive the proper air quality open burning permit prior to burning. If burning will
take place in one of these counties you must first contact the county before any burning takes place.
County Burning Contacts
County |
Telephone |
| Cascade City-County Health Dept. |
(406) 454-6950 |
| Flathead City-County Health Dept. |
(406) 758-5760 |
| Lincoln County Health Dept. |
(406) 293-7781 |
| Missoula City-County Health Dept. |
(406) 523-4755 |
| Yellowstone Air Pollution Control |
(406) 256-6841 |
