Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Residents across North Idaho are being urged to limit outdoor activity through midday Friday as smoke and pollutants push air quality into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range. The advisory spans five counties and is particularly concerning for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
According to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the alert covers Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, and Shoshone counties. Cities under advisory include Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Post Falls, and Kellogg. The air quality index is expected to remain elevated due to increased particulate matter, with haze and lingering smoke reducing visibility and raising health risks until at least 12 p.m. Friday.
Open burning is prohibited during the advisory, and individuals with asthma, heart conditions, or other respiratory vulnerabilities are urged to stay indoors. Even healthy individuals are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity while conditions persist.
Local officials recommend keeping windows closed, using HEPA air filters if available, and checking on neighbors who may be more vulnerable. Air quality alerts could be extended if smoke persists into the weekend.
