DEQ monitors daily air quality and weather conditions throughout the state to evaluate whether outdoor open burning should be limited to protect public health. Local ordinances may also restrict or prohibit open burning due to air quality or fire safety conditions.
If you live within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, check with your tribal air quality office before burning.
Unless a burn ban is in effect or other restrictions apply, outdoor open burning of the following allowed materials may proceed:
Allowed
- Residential burning, including the use of burn barrels
- Recreational fires (e.g., campfires, ceremonial fires, backyard fire pits)
- Weed control along fence lines, ditch banks, and rock piles
- Orchard clippings on the property where they were generated
- Landfill disposal site burning
- Prescribed fire, including slash piles
- Crop residue burning on fields where the crops were grown
- Training fires for fire department and land managers
Prohibited
- Garbage from food preparation
- Plastics
- Dead animals or animal waste
- Materials from vehicles such as junk motor vehicles or parts, tires, and other rubber material
- Construction material such as asphaltic materials, tar and petroleum materials, paints, treated wood, and insulated wire
- Trade waste, including any waste generated by construction, commercial, or industrial activity
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Residential backyard burning of natural vegetation such as tree leaves, branches, yard trimmings, or gardening waste is allowed in most areas of Idaho under specific conditions.
Fire used for the disposal of yard waste, as defined in the IDAPA 58.01.06, “Solid Waste Management Rules,” at residential locations is allowable so long as the burning is conducted on the property where the yard waste was generated and not prohibited by local ordinances or rules. Burning is always prohibited when DEQ has issued a Burn Ban.
Training fires are allowed if conducted by qualified personnel to train firefighters in methods of fire suppression and firefighting techniques or to display certain fire ecology or fire behavior. The responsible agency conducting the training fire is required to notify a DEQ regional office prior to igniting and must ensure that the site has been certified free of asbestos and lead paint prior to burning.
Training fires are always prohibited when DEQ has issued a burn ban.
Infrequent burning of agricultural and silvicultural waste, land clearing debris, diseased trees, or debris from emergency cleanup operations is allowed at landfill disposal sites. Basic smoke management practices must be included in the facility’s approved Operations Plan and adhered to when burning.
Landfill disposal site burning is always prohibited when DEQ has issued a burn ban.
Unless specifically allowed by the “Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho” (IDAPA 58.01.01), burning waste generated from business, trade, or industry is prohibited. This includes trade wastes generated during construction, renovation, demolition, or repairs.
Always check with your local fire department before burning. A permit from your local fire department or the Idaho Department of Lands may be required. Fire safety concerns may prohibit open burning.
Fire safety permit holders must also comply with DEQ rules and any local ordinances and are never allowed to burn any prohibited materials or burn if a burn ban is in effect.
- Burn between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Burn when wind speed is less than 12 mph.
- Burn dry natural vegetation.
- Never burn prohibited materials.
- Ensure the fire has plenty of oxygen.
- Do not allow piles to smolder.
- Do not burn leaves and grass clippings.
- Stop burning if your smoke is settling near the ground.
