Burn bans on reservations in ID, OR, and WA
EPA has authority under the FARR to issue temporary bans on certain types of outdoor burning on reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
- EPA burn bans and air quality advisories
- About EPA burn bans
- What types of burning are exempt?
- Delegated and Tribal burn bans
- State and local burn bans
EPA burn bans and air quality advisories
Current EPA burn bans
There are no EPA burn bans currently in effect.
See about EPA burn bans below for more information about what types of burning are restricted during an EPA burn ban, potential health impacts, and other local burning requirements.
Before burning, also check for delegated and Tribal burn bans.
Current EPA air quality advisories
There are no EPA air quality advisories currently in effect.
During smoky periods sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exercise and everyone should minimize exercise and exposure to smoke during high concentrations. People in sensitive groups include children under 18, elders, and people who are pregnant or have lung or heart conditions.
To check air quality conditions in your area, visit AirNow's fire and smoke map or the smoke information website for your state:
About EPA burn bans
When an EPA burn ban is in place, it applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning - including camping and recreational fires - in all areas within the external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or Tribal membership. See exemptions below.
We also request that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces unless it is your only adequate source of heat.
Air pollution can have significant health impacts. Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems. Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.
Also check with your local fire department or appropriate Tribal agency for any local burning requirements. The Coeur d'Alene, Colville, Nez Perce, Quinault, Swinomish, and Umatilla Tribes have delegation or their own authority to call their own burn bans (see delegated and Tribal burn bans).
What types of burning are exempt?
Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from outdoor burn bans called by EPA.
Delegated and Tribal burn bans
If you live on one of the following reservations, check with the Tribe before burning:
Coeur d'Alene Reservation
- Visit Coeur d'Alene Tribe Smoke Management or call 800-345-1007.
Colville Reservation
- Visit Colville Air Quality Program Burn Bans or contact Rodney Cawston, Air Quality Program Manager, at 509-634-2426.
Nez Perce Reservation
- Visit Nez Perce ERWM Air Quality Program or call 800-720-4089. You must have a burn permit issued by the Nez Perce Tribe in order to conduct burning on the Nez Perce Reservation. See Tribal burn permits for more information.
Quinault Reservation
- Visit Quinault Air Quality Program or call 360-276-8215, ext. 7310 to find out whether burning is allowed.
Swinomish Reservation
- Visit Swinomish Air Quality Program or call the Swinomish Burn Hotline at 360-466-2722. Fires greater than four feet in diameter require a burn permit from the Planning Office.
Umatilla Reservation
- Visit Umatilla Office of Air Quality or email oaq@ctuir.org. You must have a burn permit issued by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation order to conduct burning on the Umatilla Reservation. See Tribal burn permits for more information.
State and local burn bans
If you live outside of an Indian reservation, contact your state or local air quality agency for more information about burn bans in your area.