Slash burn reminder issued

| October 20, 2011 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho citizens who burn slash and other woody debris this fall are advised by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to call the Air Quality Hotline at (800) 633-6247 before burning to find out whether open burning is allowed or prohibited that day due to air quality conditions.

"Even though the Department of Lands stops issuing slash burning permits after Oct. 20 when the threat of forest fires eases up, restrictions on open burning still apply when air quality is poor," said Mark Boyle, DEQ's Coeur d'Alene region air quality manager.

DEQ may issue a burn ban when concentrations of air pollutants reach or exceed the health-based standards or limits established by state law or regulation.

Open burning must not include any material listed as restricted such as construction/demolition debris, trade waste or treated wood and must be conducted on a "green" burn day as reported on the hotline.

For more information, visit www.deq. idaho.gov/open-burning.