Open burning reminder

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued a reminder that only clean, untreated wood and plant material can be burned during the spring and summer burning season, which began March 1.

Materials prohibited from open burning include: 

Food waste

Plastic

Wood that has been coated, painted, stained or treated

Dead animals or animal droppings

Rubber materials

Chemicals

Asphalt shingles and tar paper

Pathogenic or hazardous wastes

Standing or demolished structures containing prohibited materials listed in Administrative Rules of Montana, Chapter 17. 8, Subchapter 6, “Materials Prohibited from Open Burning.” http://bit.ly/burnrules

Anyone planning to do any burning needs to check for local or county burning restrictions and for weather conditions that could make burning dangerous.

Burn permits for Lewis and Clark county cost $8 and can be purchased online at are available at https://app.mt.gov/burnpermit/ or by going to http://www.lccountymt.gov and clicking on ‘Burn Permits.” A printable version of the permit can also be downloaded from the county website, or a paper application may be requested by calling the city /county information desk at 447-8000 or 1-800-682-0033.

Powell county residents can purchase burn permits online for $5 or through the Powell County Planning Office at the Powell County Courthouse. Call 406-846-9795 for more information or go to http://www.powellcountymt.gov and click the Burn Permits link.

Burn permits can be activated by calling the automated phone system at1-877-453-BURN (2876) or online at https://app.mt.gov//burnpermit.

Permit activations must be re-activated each day burning will take place. Activations are not needed to burn firewood in a firepit, but are needed if used for debris burning.

Go to http://burnclosures.mt.gov for more information on open burning rules, open burning seasons and state-level permit requirements.