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:

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

Open burning

"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

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

Agricultural burning

"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

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

Forestry burning

"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

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

Contacts

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

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Last updated on January 9, 2026