Burn bans air quality advisories extended

Burn bans and air quality advisories were extended Thursday morning by both Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) Air Quality Project.

Both organizations said the bans and advisories were extended due to continued smoke in the area from wildfires to the south and west. The bans and advisories will be in effect at least through Friday morning when the situation will be re-evaluated. Under the bans ordered by both, no new fires may be ignited.

DEQ extended the ban advisory for all five counties in the region, Clearwater, Latah, Lewis, Idaho, Nez Perce and Idaho. According to their release, the air quality has been in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range for the last 24 hours and is forecast to continue at that level tonight and into Friday.

NPT Air Quality Project extended the ban and advisory for the Nez Perce Reservation. Their ban does not apply to cultural or traditional fires.