IF NO FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE, A BURN PERMIT IS NOT NEEDED FOR RECREATIONAL CAMPFIRES.
Recreational campfires are defined as a fire set for cooking, warming, or ceremonial purposes which measure less than 48 inches in diameter and height where all combustible material is cleared at least one and one-half times the diameter away from the fire with no overhanging branches for which a suitable source of extinguishing the fire is available.
Recreational campfires are allowed year-round when no wildland fire restrictions are in place.
A recreational campfire must be constructed in an area free of surrounding & overhanging flammable materials.
Do not allow your recreational campfire to spread beyond the established ring, pit, grate, or container.
A shovel or other fire tools, and a sufficient amount of water to extinguish the fire must be on site.
Never leave a recreational campfire unattended.
Make sure the fire is DEAD OUT and cool to the touch before vacating the site.
Remember, you are responsible for any and all fire suppression costs if your fire escapes your control!
Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 50-63-103. Liability for offender for damages and costs. Except as provided in 50-63-104, a person who sets or leaves a fire that spreads and damages or destroys property of any kind not belonging to the person is liable for all damages caused by the fire, and an owner of property damaged or destroyed by the fire may maintain a civil suit for the purpose of recovering damages. A person who sets or leaves a fire that threatens to spread and damage or destroy property is liable for all costs and expenses incurred, including but not limited to expenses incurred in investigation of the fire and administration of fire suppression, by the state of Montana, by any forestry association, or by any person extinguishing or preventing the spread of the fire.