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Burn Permits and Fire Safety Guidelines
Open burn season is closed from July 1 through September 30 due to increased fire danger.
There are a number of State, County, and Local statutes, codes, and ordinances that govern the use of fire within the City of Whitefish and the Whitefish Rural Fire Service Area. Permits are required for open burning within City limits, and there is a $25 inspection fee.
More information about open burning can be found here Version OptionsBurn Permits and Fire Safety GuidelinesHeadline. Because of fire hazards to persons and property, the Whitefish Fire Department has created an Open Burning Fire Safety Guideline to assist the public with the safe use of fire.
Permittees are required to check the current burning conditions by calling 800-225-6779 prior to burning each day. All burn piles must be constantly attended, completely extinguished, and cold to the touch when finished.
Download your burn permit application
To obtain and activate your free Flathead County burn permit, visit. Permittees will also need to register with the Flathead County Burn Permit and Notification Service and call 866-207-2577 to activate their permit on each burn day.
General Guidelines for Fire Permits
| Permit Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bonfires | Permit Required |
| Indoor Fireworks/Pyrotechnics | Permit, Insurance, and Professional Technicians Required |
| Indoor Open Flame | Contact the Fire Marshal for requirements: 406-863-2483 |
| Open Burning | Permit Required |
| Outdoor Fireworks/Pyrotechnics | Permit, Insurance, and Professional Technicians Required |
| Outdoor Open-Flame Cooking Devices | Generally, no permit required |
| Recreational Fires | Generally, no permit required |
Prohibited Items
As stated in the City Codes 4-2-5 (PDF) it is unlawful to burn:
- Carbon
- Organic Debris
- Paper Goods
- Papers
- Rubbish
- Solid Waste
- Any other type of combustible matter outdoors within the City of Whitefish
A permit is required for open burning within City Limits. Permits are available at City Hall and at the Fire Department.
Open Burning Ordinance Conditions
- A permit may be issued where 20 yards or more of wood fires have accumulated from logging or clearing of insect infected timber.
- Permits will rarely be issued to anyone wishing to burn trade waste, things other than brush, grass, and small diameter tree clippings. Those wishing to do so must also receive a permit from the Flathead City/County Health Department.