| The
three major cities of Flathead County (Kalispell, Whitefish, and
Columbia Falls) are categorized as non attainment for particulate
pollution by the Environmental Protection Agency. Burning can constitute
up to 50% of particulate matter (air pollution) on any given day.
Therefore Flathead County has established a control program to minimize
the impact of this pollution source. The program requires that any
person or entity wishing to burn during the established open burning
season comply with conditions set forth below.
Burning
Restrictions/Ventilation Hotline
.
- Open Burning in Flathead County is CLOSED during the months of December, January, and February. Spring open burning will begin March 1. A permit is not needed during the months of March and April. This website will be updated with daily with applicable burn restrictions starting March 1. Should conditions deteriorate, information will be posted and the hotline (751-8130) will be updated with current information.
- Impact
Zone (pdf)
- Impact
Zone (jpg)
- Leaves
and grass clipping DO NOT burn well. We encourage composting
these items. They tend to create excessive smoke and burn
very slowly. Consider composting or landfilling these items.
- Please
use caution when you burn.
- Burning
manmade materials is prohibited at any time.
- It
is not necessary to obtain a permit in the fall open burning months
unless the material you intend to burn qualifies as a trade waste.
Trade wastes are materials resulting from the construction or
the operation of any business, trade, industry, or demolition
operation.
- Campfires
and warming fires are allowed. These
fires must not exceed 4 feet in diameter and must consist of materials
that do not exceed 3 inches in diameter.
DNRC or your local fire district may impose additional restrictions
to campfires and warming fires when necessary due to increased
fire conditions.
-
Ventilation Hotline number is updated weekdays
by 8:40 a.m. at 751-8144.
Remember
that burning manmade materials is prohibited at any time.
Please use caution when you burn and burn only clean, dry material.
Burning restrictions will be updated daily on the ventilation
hotline, 751-8144. You must call
each day that you burn during the burning seasons, which are described
below. The report will be updated by 8:40am on weekdays and by 5:00pm
Friday for the weekend.
I
Additional
information and closures:
Flathead National Forest 758-5200
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
751-2240
All of Region 1 (Northwest United States) National Forest
329-4853 or 329-4854
It
is illegal to burn without a permit during the May 1
thru June 30. It is illegal to burn at all July
1 thru September 30 Forest Fire Season. Violators
can be fined for the cost of extinguishing an illegal fire.
Burning
permits are not required for campfires. Under state law, a
campfire is defined as a fire set for cooking, warming or ceremonial
purposes; not more than 4 feet in diameter or height and cleared
of overhanging branches. All combustible material should be
cleared at least 1-1/2 times the diameter of the fire.
Never
leave your campfire unattended and keep your shovel and bucket handy.
Most importantly, do not abandon your campfire until you are sure
your fire is DEAD OUT. Prevent forest fires, build safe campfires,
and stay with them until they are DEAD OUT. Only YOU can
prevent wildfires.
You
may also access this information on the ventilation hotline
at 751-8144. If you have questions call
751-8130, weekdays.
Wood
Burning Stoves...
Efficiency
rated wood burning stoves are available in local stores. Ask
your local dealers about the Montana Tax Credit for wood burning
stoves when you purchase a new efficient wood burning stove.
Burn only clean, dry wood in your stove and do not damp the stove
down too much. A hot fire burns cleaner and produces less
creosote buildup in the stovepipe and less smoke in the neighborhood.
Air
Quality Compliance Means…
You must burn only agricultural debris and/or wild land debris
in accordance within the time frames and conditions specified under
Burning Restrictions at the top of this page
Open Burning Means…
You
must call the Air Quality Hotline at 751-8144
or visit this web site the day you are planning to burn to determine
if there are any restrictions on burning due to air quality.
These restrictions are updated daily.
As
long as there are no restrictions, you may burn "agricultural
debris" and/or "wild land debris" without a permit.
Agricultural debris include: debris created from farming, ranching,
and gardening. Wild land debris includes: natural accumulations
of needles, grasses, shrubs, limbs and trees. Unnatural accumulations
of fuel that are the result of land management activities such
as land clearing and timber harvesting.
Materials
Prohibited include:
Any wastes which are moved from the premise where it was generated,
including that moved to a solid waste disposal site (except
as provided for in Sub-chapter 2, Rule 207, Rule 208, and Rule
209) Food Wastes
Styrofoam and other plastics
Wastes generating noxious odors
Wood and wood by-products other than trade wastes *(unless a
public or private garbage hauler, or rural container system
is unavailable)
* Trade Waste includes. . .
- Solid, liquid or gaseous material resulting from construction
or the operation of any business, trade, industry or demolition
operation (including but not limited to wood, wood products,
plastic, cartons, grease, oil, chemicals and cinders). Certain
trade wastes can be burned by permit only. Call 751-8130
for more information and to request a permit application.
Poultry litter
Animal droppings
Dead animals or animal parts
Tires or rubber materials
Asphalt shingles or tar paper (except as provided in Sub-chapter
2, Rule 206)
Automobiles bodies and interiors
Insulated wire (except as provided in Sub-chapter 2, Rule 206)
Oil or petroleum products (except as provided in Sub-chapter
2, Rule 206)
Treated lumber and timbers
Pathogenic wastes
Hazardous wastes as defined by 40 CFR Part 261
Trade wastes (except as provided in Sub-chapter 2; Rule 207,
Rule 208, and Rule 209)
Any materials resulting from a salvage operation
Chemicals
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