Missoula County Fire Protection Association
Protecting People, Homes & Natural Resources  |  Southwest Montana
Fire Danger Status in Missoula County Montana
LOW
Missoula County MT
FIRE DANGER
Fire Danger in Missoula County Montana
LOW
FIRE DANGER
Fire Danger in Missoula County Montana
Fire Restrictions / Stages in Missoula County MT
Missoula County Fire Restrictions
Fire Restrictions help reduce human-caused fires.  A number of factors, including fire danger, are used to make the call for Fire-Use Restrictions.
OPEN:
ESSENTIAL
AGRICULTURAL BURN with Permit
March 1  -  Oct. 31
Spring Burning Outdoors with a Permit is OPEN in Missoula County MT
OPEN:
GENERAL OUTDOOR BURN SEASON with Permit
March 1  -  Aug. 31
Missoula County Montana Outdoor Burning Season By Permit Information
Missoula County burning season is OPEN as of March 1st
FIRE USE (Outdoor Burn) STATUS
OPEN:
PRESCRIBED WILDLAND BURN SEASON with Permit March 1 - Nov 30
Other factors in the decision to restrict fire-causing activities: 1) Escalating human-caused fires; 2) More recreating visitors in our wildlands; 3) Persistent adverse weather and 4) Limited availability of firefighting resources.
Map depicting Stage II Fire-Use Restriction Areas in Montana - MCFPA
STAGE II Restrictions -
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
1. NO Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire!

2. NO Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

3. NO Operating Internal Combustion Engines; Welding or operating acetlylene or other torch with open flame; or using an Explosive from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. A two-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following the cessation of all activities.

4. NO operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Exemptions and Violations
Stage I and Stage II Fire Restriction Descriptions on A Handy Infograph
HANDY INFOGRAPH
Montana (Great Falls) National Weather Service compares the two STAGES of Fire Restrictions implemented during a fire season that's become active with escaped wildfires.
Map of Montana depicting areas that can impose Stage I Fire-Use Restrictions
1. NO Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless noted in the exemptions.  Click here for Exemptions

2. NO Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Definition, Exemptions and Violations
STAGE I Restrictions
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
1. If I conduct an activity that is restricted, can I be fined? Yes. The amounts may differ depending on the agency with authority in that area, but Montana State Law allows for a fine of up to six months in jail and $500.00.

2. Can I be held liable if I start a fire? Yes. You could be responsible for paying some or even all of the costs that it took to put the fire out. Check with the according agency on specific regulations.

3. How do I find out if my land is classified as forested? Montana Law defines forestland as land that has enough timber, standing or down, slash, or brush to constitute in the judgment of the department a fire menace to life or property. Grassland and agricultural areas are included when those areas are intermingled with or contiguous to and no further than one-half mile from areas of forestland. Your tax statement has this information about your land. If you cannot access your statement, check with your local unit office.
STAGE II Restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions
4. How do I know what a designated road or trail is? Call the local land management agency where you would like to go. If the land is classified as forested (see above), contact the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. If it is not, contact your local agency. They should be able to advise you and furnish maps of trails that are safe and open for use.

5. Do these restrictions apply to towns and/or private property? Many cities and towns in Montana also adopt the restrictions, and would therefore cover those areas inside their jurisdiction. County and city government may also impose further restrictions on private, city, or county-owned lands. These can be even more prohibitive than what is issued by the state.

6. Do these restrictions apply to valley bottom areas? Restrictions written by the Montana DNRC only apply to all state land and all state and private forested land. Restrictions written by county and other agencies generally apply to valley bottom area that is outside of the classified forestland. 
Missoula County Fire Protection Association Montana
Missoula County officials want us all to live and recreate safely during wildland fire season. Today, too often, just 'One Little Spark' can equal a Mega Fire. So, please, be careful out there as you explore the Big Sky State.
Fire-Use Restrictions
in Missoula County Montana 
NOTE:  In Missoula County, we restrict Outdoor Burning by Permit every summer (typically July - September) due to Fire Danger. When a range of conditions occur, County, State and Federal officials agree to impose Fire Restrictions to help reduce human-caused fires. These Restrictions impact multiple jurisdictions.