Burn permits required in Idaho May 10 to October 20
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Burn permits are required in Idaho from May 10 to October 20 each year.
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) issues an averages about 18,000 a year in Idaho, and that number continues to rise.
Who needs a permit
Idaho law (38-115) requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, to obtain a state burn permit during this period, referred to as closed fire season. A burn permit must be obtained before starting debris burning activities and you must have it with you when burning. Other laws related to open burning in Idaho also apply. Permits are free and good for 10 days. Campfires do not require a burn permit.
How to get a burn permit
Visit the self-service website burnpermits.idaho.gov. Permits are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. No matter where you want to burn and what you plan to burn, the system will either issue you the burn permit you need on the spot or tell you which entity to contact for alternate or additional permits. A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office.
Why permits are important
Obtaining the burn permit lets fire managers know where permitted burning is occurring so they can respond more quickly to a controlled burn if it escapes, potentially reducing the liability of the burner. You will also help prevent false runs to fires, saving firefighting resources for instances where they are truly needed.
Other resources
Using burnpermits.idaho.gov also connects you to tips for safe burning practices and informs you of current fire restrictions in place statewide. Information on burn restrictions based on air quality can be found by calling Idaho Department of Environmental Quality at (800) 633-6247 or by clicking HERE.
