(Seattle – Monday, July 19, 2021) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, in coordination with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, has issued a ban on all outdoor open burning on the Reservation due to elevated pollution from regional fires and weather projections indicating poor air quality. This ban begins immediately and is in effect until further notice.
The burn
ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and
recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries
regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires
are exempt from the burn ban. Burn bans for fire safety are also
in effect.
EPA
requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution as much
as possible, including driving and idling of vehicles because
air pollution can harm your health and can have lasting effects. Community
cooperation with the ban will help many people who are at higher risk.
Those who
experience greater health effects from smoke include children,
the elderly, pregnant women, people with asthma or difficulty breathing,
diabetes, heart problems or otherwise compromised health. These sensitive
groups should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution
as much as possible. Under the most severe pollution levels all residents
should restrict their activities. To check conditions in your area, go to https://fire.airnow.gov/.
For
current burn ban status on tribal lands, please call the EPA FARR Hotline at
1-800-424-4372, or visit https://www.epa.gov/farr/burn-bans-indian-reservations-id-or-and-wa#current-bans. For burning restrictions in
areas outside reservation boundaries, please contact your local clean air
agency, fire department, or the Idaho Department of Environmental
Quality.
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