Burn Permits are issued by The Gallatin County Burn Permit service – found at http://gallatinburnpermits.com. The online service will allow citizens to purchase a burn permit using a debit/credit card. Additional information is also available at the Gallatin County open burning information page at https://www.readygallatin.com/community-resources/burn-permits/.
Open Burning is allowed only WITH A PERMIT between March 1st and November 30th unless a burn ban is in effect due to increased fire danger in the summer months. Permit holders are still required to use common sense and follow SPECIFIC GUIDELINES when burning. This includes notifying when the burn will occur and taking necessary safety measures to contain the burn. Your burn must be attended.
The following materials are PROHIBITED:
- Food wastes
- Animal droppings
- Treated lumber
- Styrofoam
- Plastics
- Dead animals or animal parts
- Pathogenic wastes
- Hazardous materials
- Materials resulting from salvage operations
- Automobile or aircraft bodies and interiors
- Insulated wire
- Oil and petroleum products
- Standing or demolished structure
- Wastes generating noxious odors
- Poultry litter
- Tires
- Rubber material
- Tar paper
- Chemicals
- Asphalt shingles
- Asbestos or asbestos-containg material
On the permit are “Fire Control Restrictions and Duties in Gallatin County.” The Permit Holder agrees to these restrictions and duties when they sign and pay for their permit. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
Make sure you have a current burn permit and that you activate it each day you intend to burn. Be sure to follow the rules on your permit.
Safe conditions. No fire shall be set if wind or other weather conditions make it hazardous to burn. Check the weather forecast before lighting your burn. If winds are expected, consider burning on a different day. Be prepared for unexpected changes such as afternoon breezes or storms.
Preparation for fires. Before a fire is set, the Permit Holder or Designee shall ensure that adequate fire suppression equipment (water and tools) and personnel are present for fire control for the duration of the burn.
Control of Fire. The Permit Holder or Designee shall not leave the immediate fire area until the fire has completely burned out, that is, with no embers or smoke remaining as it only takes a split second for a burn to escape and do serious damage. Soak the remnants and mix them with hand tools, then feel for heat. If the remnants are too hot to touch with an ungloved hand, the fire is not out and should be soaked more. Some burns have reignited days after they were believed to be out.
Make sure you only burn clean, dry materials. Materials such as painted or stained woods, plastics, garbage and any other man-made materials are forbidden to be burned as they create air pollution and can cause dangerous events during your burn, such as explosions.
Consider breaking down large piles into smaller piles before you burn as smaller piles are easier to control. Also make sure your burn pile is well away from any structures, cars or other items that you do not want to burn.
Call for help. If your fire escapes or you feel like it is getting out of your control, call 911 immediately. It is much better to have firefighters respond early and assist you rather than having your fire get away and cause serious damage.