Burn permits will be required as of May 1

Flathead County residents who plan to burn natural vegetation between May 1 and June 30 are required to obtain burn permits prior to burning.

This year, people must apply for burn permits online at www.firesafekalispell.com. After people complete the online application, a permit will be emailed to them.

People who don’t have Internet or email access can go to: the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation office at 655 Timberwolf Parkway in Kalispell, the DNRC office in Olney at 7425 U.S. 93 N., the Flathead County Environmental Health office on the second floor of the Earl Bennett Building at 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell or the Bigfork Fire Department at 810 Grand Ave.

Applicants need to apply just once during the two-month period, but may burn as many times as needed, according to Jeremy Pris of the Kalispell DNRC office.

On the days a person plans to burn, he or she must call the county air quality hotline at 751-8144. If a fire gets out of control, the burner is responsible for costs incurred if a fire department is called to extinguish the fire, Pris said.

Burning of natural vegetation is allowed in March, April, October and November with no permits required. No burning is allowed from July 1 through Sept. 30.

Burning is not allowed within the city limits of Kalispell, Columbia Falls or Whitefish. Flathead County residents outside the three  cities also are required to obtain written fire permits from the fire protection district in which they live for any burning from May 1 through Sept. 30.