Outdoor burning rules in Yellowstone County, MT — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Open burning of natural vegetation is allowed year-round in Yellowstone County but requires a burn permit from County Disaster & Emergency Services. Permits cost $8 the first year and $5 to renew, must be activated daily, and burning is only allowed sunrise to sunset.
Yellowstone County DES administers open burning: 'Open burning may be conducted between January 1 and December 31,' but 'Natural vegetation is the ONLY thing that your burn permit allows you to burn.' A permit costs $8 once and $5 per year to renew, and must be activated each day you burn. 'No fire shall be set between sunset and sunrise.' You must keep adequate water, tools and people to control the fire. Statewide, open burning is regulated under Montana DEQ air-quality rules (ARM Title 17, Chapter 8, Subchapter 6); spring and summer burning is county-administered. Prohibited materials list mirrors state rules (garbage, plastics, tires, treated lumber, etc.).
Burning without a permit or burning prohibited materials is a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and/or 6 months in jail; escaped fires can bring felony arson charges up to $50,000 and/or 10 years.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Yellowstone County, MT
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