Big Horn County, Montana
Partial restrictions apply in Big Horn: burning is permitted only with a permit or within specific exceptions.
Which ground each restriction covers
Montana DNRC — Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction publishes restrictions per jurisdiction rather than as a single value for the whole county. Each one currently in force is listed below.
| Level | Land owner | Land class | Area as DNRC names it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Restrictions | Private | Forest | Big Horn Cty Private - Forest |
| Partial Restrictions | Private | Non-forest | Big Horn Cty Private - NFZ |
| Partial Restrictions | State | Forest | Big Horn Cty State - Forest |
| Partial Restrictions | State | Non-forest | Big Horn Cty State - NFZ |
Ground not named above carries no restriction from Montana DNRC — Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction today. Your county or fire district can still have rules of its own on top — those are not in this table.
What this means
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in Montana
Fire restrictions are enforced by the agency with jurisdiction over the land you are on. Beyond any fine, anyone who starts a wildfire can be held liable for the cost of putting it out and for damage to property.
Classification: — · Maximum fine: —
Recent status history
- Aug 18, 2026 — Partial Restrictions
- Aug 4, 2026 — Unconfirmed
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | Montana DNRC — Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction ↗ | status: Partial Restrictions |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
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Still legal during a ban
None of these are a way around Big Horn county's restriction — they're what stays legal regardless of it: contained burning, screened fire pits, and basic fire safety gear. Always confirm locally before burning anything.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps debris burning contained rather than as open burning — check your county's rules, since some bans cover any outdoor fire regardless of containment.
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Most burn bans target open debris burning, not a screened recreational fire pit — but always confirm locally, since some restrictions cover any outdoor flame.
Fire extinguishers
Always worth having on hand near any permitted fire, ban or no ban.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by Montana DNRC — Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Big Horn county may impose stricter rules than the county order. Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions. When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status. The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is Big Horn county under a burn ban right now?
Partial restrictions apply. Montana's statewide rule limits when and where you can burn today. See the "What this means" module above for the specifics.
What can I still burn in Big Horn county?
Standard open burning is currently permitted, subject to any municipal ordinance in your area. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep water and a shovel nearby.
How do I report an illegal fire in Big Horn county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For non-emergency violations of a burn-ban order, contact the Big Horn Sheriff's Office or fire marshal.