Burn Bans on Indian Reservations in ID, OR, and WA
Burn Ban Alert
There is currently an EPA burn ban for the Yakama Reservation in Washington through Friday, January 20. See below for more information. Before burning, see also delegated and tribal burn bans.
The EPA has authority under the FARR to issue temporary bans on certain types of outdoor burning on reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
- Current burn ban status
- About EPA burn bans
- What types of burning are allowed during a burn ban?
- Delegated and tribal burn bans
- State and local burn bans
Current burn ban status
Outdoor burn ban extended for Yakama Nation
EPA has extended a ban on all outdoor open burning on the Yakama Reservation through Friday, January 20 at noon due to stagnant air conditions and elevated air pollution.
The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban.
Before burning, see also delegated and tribal burn bans.
For more information, or to receive EPA burn ban announcements by email, contact the FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4372 or r10_farrhotline@epa.gov.
How do temperature inversions affect air quality?
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.
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 allowed during a burn ban?
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, you should also check with the tribe before burning:
Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation
- Check the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Smoke Management website Exit or call 800-345-1007.
Colville Indian Reservation
- Contact Kris Ray, Air Quality Program, at 509-634-2418.
Nez Perce Indian Reservation
- Check the Nez Perce Tribal Air Quality Program website Exit 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 our tribal burn permit programs page for more information.
Quinault Indian Reservation
- Call 360-276-8215 to find out whether burning is allowed.
Swinomish Indian Reservation
- Check the Swinomish burn ban status website Exit 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 Indian Reservation
- Check the Umatilla Office of Air Quality and Burn Line website Exit at 541-429-7080. 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 our tribal burn permit programs page 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.
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