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  2. Federal Air Rules for Reservations

Tribal Burn Permits on the Nez Perce and Umatilla Reservations

The Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation administer their own burn permit programs as part of a delegation agreement with EPA. The information on this page applies only on the Nez Perce and Umatilla Reservations.

On this page:

  • Open burn permits
  • Agricultural burn permits
  • Forestry burn permits
  • Contacts

For more information about open burning on Tribal lands, visit Open Burning on Indian Reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.


Open Burn Permits

"Open burning" means that smoke, gases, chemicals, and other products from burning enter the air directly, without first going through a chimney, flue, vent, or other similar path (for example, a burn barrel or outside fire pit).

You must get a permit issued by the Tribe for open burning on the Nez Perce Reservation and the Umatilla Reservation (except for outdoor fires set for cultural or traditional purposes, which are allowed without a permit).

Firefighter trainings require a large burn permit.

Agricultural and forestry-related burns require a different permit (available below).

Open Burn Permit Applications

  • 2025 Nez Perce Large Burn Permit Application Form (pdf) (380.47 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for burns on the Nez Perce Reservation greater than 10 feet in diameter or more than 60 feet of fence line or ditch bank vegetation, and for fire trainings.
  • 2025 Nez Perce Small Burn Permit Application Form (pdf) (321.4 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for burns on the Nez Perce Reservation under 10 feet in diameter or 60 feet or less of ditch bank or fence line vegetation.
  • 2025 Umatilla Large Burn Permit Application Form (pdf) (421.54 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for burns on the Umatilla Reservation greater than 10 feet in diameter or more than 60 feet of fence line or ditch bank vegetation, and for fire trainings.
  • 2025 Umatilla Small Burn Permit Application Form (pdf) (496.56 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for burns on the Umatilla Reservation under 10 ft in diameter or 60 ft or less of ditch bank or fence line vegetation.

The FARR rules for general opening burning permits can be found at: General Open Burning Permits - 40 CFR Part 49, Section 132 (pdf).


Agricultural Burn Permits

"Agricultural burning" is the burning of vegetative debris from an agricultural activity that is necessary for disease or pest control, or for crop propagation and/or crop rotation. This includes conservation reserve program (CRP) fields.

You must get a permit issued by the Tribe for agricultural burning on the Nez Perce Reservation and the Umatilla Reservation.

Agricultural Burn Permit Applications

  • 2025 Nez Perce Agricultural Burn Permit Application (pdf) (469.49 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for agricultural burns on the Nez Perce Reservation.
  • 2025 Umatilla Agricultural Burn Permit Application (pdf) (475.69 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for agricultural burns on the Umatilla Reservation.

The FARR rules for agricultural burning permits can be found at: Agricultural Burning Permits - 40 CFR Part 49, Section 133 (pdf).


Forestry Burn Permits

"Forestry burning" is the burning of vegetative debris from a forestry or silvicultural activity that is necessary for disease or pest control, reduction of fire hazard, reforestation or ecosystem management.

You must get a permit issued by the Tribe for forestry and silvicultural burning on the Nez Perce Reservation and the Umatilla Reservation.

Forestry Burn Permit Applications

  • 2025 Nez Perce Forestry Burn Permit Application (pdf) (420.39 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for forestry burns on the Nez Perce Reservation.
  • 2025 Umatilla Forestry Burn Permit Application (pdf) (455.68 KB, January 2025)
    Permit for forestry burns on the Umatilla Reservation.

The FARR rules for forestry and silvicultural burning permits can be found at: Forestry and Silvicultural Burning Permits - 40 CFR Part 49, Section 134 (pdf).


Contacts

For questions about Tribal burn permits, please contact the Tribe directly:

  • Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation: Visit CTUIR Burn Permits or email oaq@ctuir.org. 
  • Nez Perce Indian Reservation: Visit Nez Perce Tribe Natural Resources Program or call 800-720-4089.

Federal Air Rules for Reservations

  • Burn Bans
  • Open Burning
  • Air Operating Permits
  • Registration and Reporting
  • Controlling Air Emissions
  • About FARR
Contact Us About the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR)
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 7, 2025
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