Recreation/Cooking Fire Regulations

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue

Before you burn:

Each day that you burn, call the Department of Air Quality (DEQ) at 1-800-633-6247 option 3# (be sure to change the location to Kootenai County Area) for air quality conditions.

You can only burn if the conditions are GREEN. DO NOT burn if the conditions are YELLOW or RED.

Check Air Quality

No Permit is Required for Recreation/Cooking Fires

GENERAL OUTDOOR BURNING REGULATIONS

  1. Recreational fires can either be in a store purchased, heat resistant, bowl on frame, patio fire pit or patio fire stove; or can be a ground fire pit. Ground fire pits must be ringed with stone, brick or a steel fire ring. Pit should be dug out approximately 4 inches and back filled approximately 2 inches with sand. Pit can be no larger than 3 feet in diameter. A minimum of 10 feet around pit shall be maintained free of grass, shrubbery, weeds, vegetation, and any other combustible material, including overhanging limbs from trees. Fires shall not be within twenty-five (25) feet of a structure.
  2. Recreational and Cooking Fires are permitted during night time hours.
  3. Fire must be approachable at all times.
  4. All fires must be attended at all times and put out prior to leaving. This means cold to the touch.
  5. If burning on the shore, fire must be built ABOVE the high water mark.
  6. Attendant must have a hose connected to a water supply, and/or a shovel on scene at all times.
  7. Fire Officials are authorized to require that burning be discontinued if smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding properties.

YES

  • Untreated wood products
  • Dry lawn clippings
  • Cardboard
  • Dry garden waste
  • Paper
  • Leaves
  • Dry pine needles
  • Branches

NO

  • Treated wood products
  • Pallets
  • Plastics
  • Furniture
  • Rubber products
  • Stumps (roots)
  • Paint & paint cans
  • Household garbage
  • Fiberglass products
  • Trade waste *
  • Carpeting & pads
  • Non-combustible items

*Trade waste includes any products generated from a business (ie:  construction waste, nursery/landscaping waste, etc.)

If any of the above rules are violated, your burning privileges will be revoked immediately and you may be charged for staffing and equipment for responding to an illegal burn.

Any questions, contact Kootenai County Fire & Rescue at (208) 777-8500.

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue
5271 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone (208) 777-8500

Hand Piled & Machine Piled Logging Slash Burn Permits

Burn Barrel Permits

All burn barrels must be in good condition, off the ground 3-4 inches on non-combustible blocks, a minimum of four 1” vent holes along the bottom sides of the barrel, and have a screen on top with ½ inch max.

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