DEQ lifts air pollution forecast and caution for Custer and Lemhi counties

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - UPDATE 9/10/21: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has lifted an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Custer and Lemhi counties of improved air quality. 

Due to improved air quality, burning restrictions are being lifted.

Air quality is currently in the moderate category and is forecast to be in the moderate category. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

When air quality is moderate, air quality is acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience health impacts and should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

There are no woodstove burning restrictions.

Open burning restrictions have been lifted in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550

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UPDATE 9/9/21: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Custer and Lemhi counties of degraded air quality. 

Due to wildfire smoke health impacts may occur, burning restrictions are in effect. 

Air quality is currently in the unhealthy category and is forecast to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

When air quality is unhealthy, everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups* may experience more serious effects & should avoid prolonged/heavy exertion & stay indoors. Everyone else should limit prolonged/heavy exertion & limit time outdoors.

Voluntary burn ban for residential wood burning activities are in effect.

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

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UPDATE: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has lifted an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison and Teton counties of improved air quality. Due to improved air quality, burning restrictions are lifted. Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to be in the Moderate category. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

The DEQ has extended an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Custer and Lemhi counties of degraded air quality.  Due to wildfire smoke health impacts may occur, burning restrictions are in effect.  Air quality is currently in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category and is forecast to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

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UPDATE 9/8/21: The Idaho DEQ has lifted the Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of South East Idaho of improved air quality. Burning restrictions are being lifted. Air quality is expected to remain in the moderate category Wednesday.

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ORIGINAL: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties of degraded air quality. 

The DEQ has also issued an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power Counties of degraded air quality.

Due to wildfire smoke health impacts may occur, burning restrictions are in effect.

Air quality is currently in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category and is forecast to reach the unhealthy category for parts of SE Idaho, with the entire region experiencing degraded air quality. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

When air quality is unhealthy, everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious effects and should avoid prolonged/heavy exertion and stay indoors. Everyone else should limit prolonged/heavy exertion & limit time outdoors.

Residential wood burning activities are restricted to certified or exempted stoves only. This burn ban will remain in effect until air quality has improved in accordance with local ordinances.

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with local ordinances and the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Solid waste (e.g., rubbish, tree leaves, yard trimmings, and gardening waste) if no scheduled house-to-house solid waste collection service is available and the burning is conducted on the property where the waste was generated
• Tree leaves, yard trimmings, or gardening waste if allowed by local ordinance or rule and conducted on the property where the waste was generated
• Recreational campfires
• Ceremonial fires
• Small fires set for hand-warming purposes
• Weed control along fence lines, canal banks, and ditch banks
• Crop residue disposal (agricultural burning activities)