BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) remind the public to refrain from all nonessential open burning activities. This comes as communities are responding to the spread of coronavirus in Idaho.
The reasoning behind the request is COVID-19 affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal system. People with asthma are recommended to avoid asthma triggers such as smoke from burning wood or other plants.
To avoid additional health impacts, the public should take standard preventative measures to protect their health from smoke exposure and refrain from residential open burning (tree limbs, leaves, yard trimmings, garden waste, burn barrels and fire pits) and other nonessential open burning activities until further notice. If open burning is essential, please follow best smoke management practices.
Smoke from open burning can cause unnecessary public health and safety concerns and impact local service providers:
- Smoke inhalation can cause upper respiratory symptoms, which could be incorrectly attributed to COVID-19.
- Smoke exposure impacts can lead to unnecessary testing or self-isolation.
- First responders and other emergency services are operating at a reduced capacity and have limited resources to respond to out-of-control burns.
- Personal protective equipment to reduce smoke exposure is not readily available at this time.
Local officials may have already prohibited open burning in your area. Prior to burning, contact your local fire agency and visit https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/AQIPublic/Map/OutdoorBurn to verify open burning is allowed.
DEQ, IDL, and DHW encourage the public to use alternative burning options:
- Lawn mulching—Leave grass clippings on your lawn to add nutrients back into the soil and improve lawn health.
- Composting—Compost yard waste to recycle organic material and add nutrients back into the soil.
- Chipping—Add chipped brush, pruning, or wood waste to your compost pile or soil to increase nutrient content.
- Curbside pickup—Collect and separate yard waste, organic material, and recyclables and set out for curbside collection. Check with your local government or waste management company for local services.
- Landfills—Many landfills offer free or reduced fees for yard waste.
