FORT ELLIS FIRE SERVICE AREA burn permits & fire restrictionS

Open burning is a serious activity that, when improperly conducted, jeopardizes the safety of local residents and fire department personnel. Therefore, burners are required to follow strict guidelines. Please review all of the information on this page before you conduct any burning in the Fort Ellis Fire Service Area.

Do I need a burn permit?

In Gallatin County, conducting any fire except for recreational fires requires that a burn permit be purchased and activated. For any fire:

A reasonably prudent and suitable source of extinguishing the fire must always be available.

All fires should be wood only, or camp-fire style. That means no painted/treated lumber, trash, or other materials that are illegal to burn.

burning that does not require a gallatin county burn permit

In Gallatin County, residents may burn in the following manner without first obtaining a burn permit from the county. Recreational fires are not allowed when county-wide burn bans/fire restrictions are in effect by Gallatin County Commissioners.

Recreational Fires: Small recreational fires in controlled areas. A recreational fire (campfire) must be less than 4 feet in diameter.

burning that requires a gallatin county burn permit

Any burning other than recreational fires requires an active burn permit from Gallatin County. The purpose of the permit is so that dispatchers, fire officials, and the local fire department might know that your fire is a "controlled burn" and not a wildfire.

Essential Agricultural Burning on a farm or ranch is allowed for the purposes of eliminating excess vegetative matter from irrigation ditches, cultivated fields, and improving range conditions or wildlife habitat. This burning is allowed from March 1 through November 30 with an activated burn permit.
Prescribed Wildland Open Burning is allowed for the improvement of wildlife habitat, reducing fire hazards, controlling forest pests, and forest regeneration. Prescribed wildland open burning may be conducted between March 1 and November 30 with an activated burn permit.
General Open Burning is any burning other than the two listed above. This type of burn is allowed between March 1 through November 30 with an activated burn permit..

It’s the law in Montana! Any individual igniting an open burning fire without activating an open burning permit is in violation of 7-33-2205 MCA, is guilty of a misdemeanor (7-33-2206), and is subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 6 months in the county jail and/or a fine not to exceed $500 pursuant to 46-18-212 MCA.

when do i need to activate my burn permit?

You must activate your burn permit at least 30 minutes before every burn, including after your initial purchase, in order for your permit to be valid.

How do I purchase and activate a burn permit?

To purchase a burn permit, you can apply online at GallatinBurnPermits.com or purchase in person at:

Bozeman Fire Department, 34 N. Rouse Avenue, Bozeman
Central Valley Fire District, 215 Wings Way, Belgrade
Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office, 311 W. Main, Room 103, Bozeman
Three Forks Library, 607 N. Main, Three Forks

You can activate your burn permit at GallatinBurnPermits.com or call 1-888-540-8131. You must activate your burn permit at least 30 minutes before every burn, including after your initial purchase, in order for your permit to be valid.

do i have to monitor my burn?

YES! Your burn must be attended to at all times until it is 100% out. This includes during working hours, rain/snow, etc. Open burns are only allowed during daylight hours, and fires must be extinguished by sunset. That means DEAD OUT and cool to the touch!

Permit holders are still required to use common sense and take necessary safety measures to contain the burn—a reasonably prudent and suitable source of extinguishing the fire must always be available.

Check the weather for the day. Don’t burn on dry, windy, or red flag days. Conditions may change later in the day from when you start, making it hard to control the fire. Remember, if you lose control of your fire, you may be liable for the damage and suppression costs.

How much does a burn permit cost?

A burn permit costs $15 and is valid for one year.

when can i burn?

Gallatin County allows the following types of open burning with a burn permit (required!) March 1 through November 30. Open burning is closed December 1 - February 28 for air-quality reasons; please visit/contact Gallatin County Emergency Management or Montana DEQ for more information.

Essential Agricultural Burning
On a farm or ranch to eliminate excess vegetative matter from irrigation ditches, cultivated fields, and improve range conditions or wildlife habitat

Prescribed Wildland Open Burning
For the improvement of wildlife habitat, reducing fire hazards, controlling forest pests, and forest regeneration

General Open Burning
Any burning other than the two listed above

If conditions are not safe (unfavorable weather conditions with a higher risk for wildfire activity), you will not be able to activate your burn permit. In some severe situations, the Gallatin County Commission may implement fire restrictions/burn bans to minimize the risk of new fire ignitions. The Fort Ellis Fire Chief may also open and close open burning within the Fort Ellis Fire Service Area if weather/ground conditions are unfavorable.

What materials can I burn?

Natural vegetation is allowed to be burned with a valid activated burn permit.

What is illegal to burn?

You are not allowed to burn prohibited materials as outlined in the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's air quality regulations found at ARM 17.8.604. This includes, but is not limited to hazardous materials, painted or treated lumber/timber, chemicals, asphalt shingles, campers, garbage, railroad ties, plastic/Styrofoam products, paper products, cardboard, manure, dead animals, etc.

Who has the authority for open burning?

The authority for authorizing (opening and closing) open burning in the Fort Ellis Fire Service Area rests with the Fort Ellis Fire Chief. Gallatin County Emergency Management administers the system on behalf of the fire protection jurisdictions to maintain a common system across Gallatin County. In some severe situations, the Gallatin County Commission may implement fire restrictions/burn bans to minimize the risk of new fire ignitions.

If you’re confident you live on US Forest Service property (not common), fire regulations and burn permits are governed by the US Forest Service.

still have Questions?

Burn regulations can be confusing. We're happy to help! Please contact our department at 1-406-587-0236, and we will get your questions answered. Gallatin County Emergency Management is also happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for helping us keep our beautiful state safe!

Fort ellis residents, Are You Prepared for the Next Wildfire?

Gallatin County has funding available to help residents in the Fort Ellis Wildland Urban Interface reduce the risk of wildfire impacting their property.

Studies have shown that treating the area within 100 feet of your home greatly reduces the potential impacts of a wildfire. This is not a program that asks homeowners to clearcut their properties. If you are interested in participating in this program, you can request a FREE Home Risk Assessment, and Gallatin County staff will meet with you on your property. Mitigation projects could range from hand thinning areas around your home and structures to larger, forest thinning type projects - depending on property size and continuity with neighbors.

Homeowners may then apply for a grant that will cover 60% of their out-of-pocket expenses. If the grant is awarded, Gallatin County Emergency Management (GECM) will provide a list of contractors. A service contract is then developed between the Property Owner and the Contractor. After the work has been performed as defined in the prescription, the property owner pays the Contractor in full and submits a reimbursement request to Gallatin County for 60% of the total cost.

Engage your neighbors - GCEM would be happy to speak to a group of residents in the Fort Ellis Fire Service Area! For more information about Wildfire Mitigation and to learn about these cost share programs, please visit: Wildfire Mitigation – Gallatin County Emergency Management. You can also request an assessment through their Wildfire Mitigation Inquiry Form or call 1-406-548-0118.