Burn Ban on the Kootenai Reservation

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has issued an air quality advisory and a ban on open burning on the Kootenai Reservation until Monday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

The cause of the current advisory is winter inversion and poor ventilation, EPA officials announced. Weather forecasts indicate air quality will be impacted by stagnation through the weekend. 

The burn ban applies to all outdoor burning - including agricultural, camping and recreational fires - in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership.

EPA requests that residents reduce all additional sources of air pollution, such as automobile exhaust, as much as possible. Sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. 

To check conditions in your area, visit the EPA AirNow website.  For a list of current burn bans on tribal lands, call the EPA Federal Air Rules for Reservations Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit  the FARR website.

For information about burn bans in Idaho see https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/aqipublic/map/outdoorburn