Air Quality and Ventilation
Flathead County Environmental Health monitors outdoor air quality, administers the Flathead County Air Pollution Control Program, and provides resources related to ventilation, open burning, air quality complaints, radon, asthma, and local air quality regulations.
Outdoor Air Quality Program
Flathead County Environmental Health collects outdoor air quality data from monitoring sites in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls and administers the Flathead County Air Pollution Control Program.
The program uses air monitoring data, ventilation forecasts, and local air quality regulations to help protect public health and reduce air pollution impacts in Flathead County.
Open Burning and Daily Ventilation Decisions
Flathead County uses air monitoring data and ventilation forecasts to help determine when open burning is allowed. Daily burn decisions may consider mixing height, ventilation rate, wind speed, pressure, and current air quality conditions.
For permit instructions, daily activation, and burn restriction resources, visit the Flathead County Burn Permit page.
To find out if open burning is allowed today, call 1-866-207-2577.
Check Air Quality and Burning Status
Daily conditions, current restrictions, and the county burn permit service.
Burn Permit and Notification Service
Buy a burn permit and activate daily burning online.
Report a Problem
Air Quality Complaint
Report a suspected air quality violation using the county mapping tool.
Permits and Applications
Conditional Open Burn Application
Download the conditional open burn application (Word document).
Firefighter Training Burn Permit
Download the firefighter training open burning permit application (PDF).
Guidelines, Regulations, and Reference
Whitefish Fire Service Area
View the Whitefish Fire Service Area and boundaries (PDF).
Montana Asthma Program
Learn about the Montana Asthma Program through Community Health.
Page Last Updated: Aug 18, 2026