Winter Open Burning Begins in Lewis and Clark County, New Rules Apply

The Montana winter open burning season began on December 1, 2025 and residents in Lewis and Clark County are subject to permit procedures administered by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ requires anyone planning open burning in the state's western burn zone to submit a permit request before ignition. Lewis and Clark is one of 18 counties in that western zone. People in the eastern burn zone do not need a written permit but must call DEQ at 406 444 3490 before lighting a burn.

DEQ staff review atmospheric conditions daily during the winter season because smoke can become trapped in mountain valleys when temperature inversions occur. Those inversions create prolonged periods of poor air quality that can affect people with respiratory conditions, seniors, children, and others who are sensitive to smoke. To help manage those risks the department limits when and where open burning may proceed.

Permit requests for western zone burns must be submitted by 4 p.m. for burning planned the following day. Weekend burns require submissions by 3 p.m. on Friday. Approved requests are valid for up to three days, and any additional burning beyond that period requires a new request. Residents may submit open burning request forms through DEQ's online portal, and more information is available on the state burn closures burnpermit site.

Local restrictions may also apply within Lewis and Clark County and neighboring jurisdictions, and residents are encouraged to contact their local air quality agency before burning. Only clean untreated wood and plant material are permitted for open burning. Prohibited items include plastics, treated wood, food wastes, dead animals, and other hazardous materials. These limitations are intended to reduce toxic smoke and to prevent unsafe or unlawful disposal of waste through burning.

For county residents who rely on open burning to manage yard debris and agricultural material, the season and its rules underscore a balance between practical needs and public health. Following permit timelines and material restrictions will help keep local air clearer during winter while ensuring burns proceed under conditions that limit community exposure to smoke.