The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality extended an air quality advisory and burn ban through at least Friday across five north-central Idaho counties, citing smoke drifting from wildfires in Oregon.
The advisory, which took effect on July 25, now covers Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties, excluding the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, which maintains its own separate restrictions. The extension was announced Wednesday by the DEQ’s Lewiston office.
Air quality in the region is rated as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” a designation that affects children, elderly residents, and individuals with heart, lung, or asthma conditions. Residents in these categories are advised to limit outdoor activities and take precautions to reduce smoke exposure.
Burn Ban Specifics
The burn ban prohibits outdoor campfires, fire pits, charcoal barbecues, and open burning across the affected area. However, certain outdoor cooking and heating devices remain permitted during the advisory period.
According to Bonnie Gomez, an air and remediation analyst for Idaho DEQ’s Lewiston office, the exceptions include “outdoor devices that have a chimney or smokestack, as well as propane grills.” These exemptions allow residents to continue essential outdoor cooking while minimizing smoke contributions to already-degraded air quality.
No EPA or tribal burn permits have been approved while the advisory remains in effect. The DEQ will provide an updated assessment on Friday to determine whether the advisory and restrictions will be lifted or extended further.
Tribal Advisory
The Nez Perce Tribe issued its own air quality advisory running through 10 a.m. Friday, operating on a separate timeline from the five-county DEQ advisory. Tribal members should monitor both advisories for changes to restrictions.
Nearby wildfire activity, including the Greer Fire, continues to impact regional air quality, with smoke continuing to move into the Lewis-Clark Valley from areas to the south and east. Regional air quality conditions remain influenced by the scope and intensity of these fires.
Residents experiencing respiratory issues or other health concerns related to smoke exposure should contact their healthcare provider. Those in sensitive groups should consider remaining indoors during periods of highest smoke concentration, typically in the afternoon and evening hours.
What Comes Next
The DEQ will issue a formal update Friday regarding the status of the air quality advisory and burn ban. Depending on wind patterns, smoke dispersion, and fire activity in Oregon, restrictions may be lifted, extended further, or modified. Residents are encouraged to monitor official DEQ announcements and local news for updates. In the meantime, those with outdoor burning plans should hold off until restrictions are lifted and air quality returns to acceptable levels.