Open Burns Now Prohibited in Cascade County Due to Conditions

Over the past weekend, Mother Nature served up a healthy storm across Montana, leaving piles of snow to be shoveled.  Great Falls even received 11 inches of that white stuff.

via GIPHY

But just as quickly as the snow piled up, warmer temperatures and winds have disposed of it rather quickly.  And any moisture that came with it has been sucked up by a parched landscape.  Which means the possibility of fires, and the Cascade County Disaster and Emergency Services are putting a lid of open burning.

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Open Burns Now Prohibited in Cascade County Due to Conditions

In an announcement through social media, the CCDE has made the decision to restrict open burns within the county.  The declaration comes on the heels of another wind event moving through central Montana, with winds forecast at over 50mph into the weekend.

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Despite having the recent storm, the department said that:

Due to high wind speeds, high wind warning forecasts and low humidity- burning is PROHIBITED in Cascade County as of 7:59am 03/19/2026.

The announcement didn't include an expected date that the restrictions would be lifted and open burning being permitted again.

Learn More About CCDE and Rules Regarding Items Legal to Burn

The goal for the CCDE in Cascade County is to "preserve life, property, and the environment through coordination of response agencies and partners to ensure preparedness, hazard mitigation, response capability and recovery planning".

To learn more about the agency, visit their website here.  You can also learn more about refuse materials that aren't allowed to be open burned within the county in our gallery below. 👇