Fire danger level to be lowered

COEUR d'ALENE — The Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op will lower the fire danger on Monday from high to moderate due to cooling temperatures and rising humidity levels.

As a result, all burn permit types will be available starting at 8 a.m. Monday.

A burn ban over the summer was lifted three weeks ago when burning of yard waste and burn barrels were allowed with a permit.

Starting Monday, all hand- and machine-piled (logging) slash can also be burned with a permit.

The fire prevention co-op consists of fire chiefs in Kootenai County and the Idaho Department of Lands' Mica District.

Residents are urged to contact their local fire district for burning questions.

According to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, a high pressure will gradually build over the area through the weekend, resulting in dry and warmer weather. Air quality will be good throughout North Idaho this weekend.

Residents are urged to take the following cautionary measures when burning:

• Attend your burn pile at all times and ake sure you can call 911 immediately if your fire spreads out of control

• Ensure a clean non-combustible (bare ground) area around your burn pile

• Ensure your burn pile is at least 50 feet away from any combustibles including vehicles, homes and fences

• Always have a water supply available at your burn pile

• Keep a shovel nearby to help keep your burn pile contained

• Burn only clean, dry yard waste.

Never burn plastics, oils or treated lumber.