FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/2/2023

Contacts: Jim Wardensky, 751-8130

Spring Open Burning

Spring open burning season extends from March 1st – April 30th. Burners must call the Ventilation
Hotline daily at 406-751-8144 or visit the Air Quality website at Air Quality and Ventilation :: Flathead
County (mt.gov) for restrictions before burning. The ventilation forecast is updated by 5pm each night for
the next day and by 8:30 am on Monday. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, all manmade
materials, treated materials, wood, and wood by-product trade wastes produced by any business, trade,
industry, or demolition project. Construction debris is considered a trade waste. Campfires and warming
fires (when deemed necessary determined by weather conditions) are restricted to fires less than 4 feet in
diameter. These fires should consist of materials less than 3 inches in diameter.

 Call the Ventilation Hotline at 751-8144 before burning.

 Burn only clean, dry materials. Do not let poorly burning fires smolder.
 The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning, free to homeowners within the
county.
 Leaves and grass clippings create excessive smoke and do not burn well. Composting or
landfilling these items is recommended.
 Always burn piles away from other combustible materials and have fire extinguishing equipment
nearby.
 Never allow piles to become larger than manageable. Weather conditions may change quickly.
 In the Whitefish area, a permit is required from the Whitefish Fire Department.
 Burning is prohibited within the Kalispell and Columbia Falls city limits.

Important Dates to Remember

Contact Air Quality for burning opportunities. Air Quality
compliance required. Call 406-751-8144 for ventilation and
December 1 to February 28
burning forecast.

Spring open burning season. No burning permit required. Air

Quality compliance required. Call 406-751-8144 for ventilation
March 1 to April 30
and burning forecast.

Burn permits are required. Call 406-751-8144 for ventilation

May 1 to June 30
and burning forecast.

NO burning allowed due to increased fire danger of fire

July 1 to September 30
season.

Fall open burning season. No burn permit required. Air Quality

October 1 to November 30
compliance required. Call 406-751-8144 for ventilation and
burning forecast.
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