Flathead County’s spring open-burning season begins today, March 1, and will last through April 30, allowing residents to burn certain materials without a permit, according to a notice from the City-County Health Department.

Burning is banned, however, within Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls city limits.

For those who can burn, prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, all man-made materials, treated materials, wood and wood-by-product trade wastes produced by any business, trade, industry or demolition project. According to the notice, construction debris is considered a trade waste. A permit is also not needed for campfires, which the department lists criteria for including that the fire be no more than four feet in diameter or height and must be void of overhanging branches.

Even though no permit is required during this time, residents must comply with air-quality regulations. Therefore, if residents are planning to burn, they must first check the health department’s website at flatheadhealth.org for restrictions or contact the Ventilation Hotline at 751-8144. The department’s website is updated every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m.

According to the notice, leaves and grass clippings should not be burned and should instead be composted or landfilled. The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning that is free to homeowners in the valley.

Burn permits will be required beginning in May through June, followed by the no-burn season July through September.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected]