Skies turn smoky in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, burn restrictions in effect | News [Video]

UPDATE 5:00 p.m Thursday: Spokane Clean Air has enacted Stage 1 burning restrictions until further notice. This bans outdoor burning and restricts the use of certain kinds of wood stoves. More information can be found HERE. 

SPOKANE, Wash.– Hazy skies settled in across the Inland Northwest on Thursday. Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency reported moderate air quality across the county. Air quality in Spokane Valley and the South Hill crept close to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups during the early afternoon. Stations in North Idaho reported moderate air quality from the Camas Prairie to Eastport at the Canada border. 

The culprit for the air quality issues are the numerous prescribed burns happening on public lands in both Idaho and Washington. Several prescribed burns are underway in Kootenai County which blew smoke across the state line and into Spokane Thursday morning. 

MORE: Where prescribed burns are happening – North Idaho Forests – WA DNR – …