HELENA – Montana’s spring/summer burning season began March 1, and DEQ reminds Montanans that only clean, untreated wood and plant material can be burned.

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

Before ignition, always check for county-level burn restrictions as a result of cold weather inversions, summer wildfires or other air-quality impacts.

Burners also should contact local fire control authorities – regardless of weather conditions – to learn local fire safety requirements and report the timeframe and location of their planned burn. 

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