Fire danger high; burn ban in place

COEUR d'ALENE — The Kootenai County Fire Chiefs and Idaho Department of Lands Mica District have raised the fire danger in Kootenai County to high, effective today.

At this time, yard waste burning and slash piles will no longer be allowed.

The statewide burn permit program will not allow anyone to obtain a burn permit for yard waste burning or hand-piled slash within the Mica district which includes most of Kootenai county.

At this time recreational fires, and propane-fired firepits will still be allowed. Burn barrels may also be allowed if your fire department or district allows them.

"If you have a question about what is allowed, please contact your local fire department," wrote Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op President Craig Etherton, in a news release.

The Idaho Department of Lands and the Kootenai County Chiefs will continue to evaluate the conditions in our area; more restrictions may be placed in the near future.

Always attend your fires and have water at the ready while burning. Never leave your fire unattended.

Call 911 if your fire spreads beyond your control immediately.