Burn permits required beginning May 10

May 4, 2016

Starting May 10, Idahoans must obtain a burn permit from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) before starting certain controlled burn activities. The permits can be obtained online at http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov, or in person at IDL offices statewide. The burn permit is free of charge and good for 10 days after it is issued. Permits issued through the self service web site are available seven days a week, issued immediately, and valid immediately. Idaho law (38-115) requires any person living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plans to burn anything, including crop residue burning and burn barrels, during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn permit. No permit is needed for recreational campfires. Closed fire season is May 10 through October 20 every year. Residents also are encouraged to contact their local city or rural fire department before burning because some incorporated cities and towns may require their own burn permit. IDL will not issue burn permits within districts where local burn bans are in effect. Additionally, residents should contact the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for air quality information by calling (800) 633-6247 or visiting http://deq.idaho.gov/air-quality.aspx. The burn permit system informs fire managers where burning activities are occurring, which reduces the number of false runs to fires and saves firefighting resources for when truly needed. It also enables fire managers to respond more quickly to fires that escape, potentially reducing the liability of the burner. After a record breaking fire season last year, Idaho Department of Lands reminds residents to burn responsibly and have all necessary tools readily available to extinguish their fire to prevent an escaped burn. Contact information for IDL offices where burn permits can be obtained in person is available at http://www.idl.idaho.gov/areas/index.html.