Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Environmental Protection Agency has cleared the way for field burning in Idaho this fall.

Under the agreement the state will monitor the burning. It will only be allowed when the wind blows smoke away from cities and neighborhoods.

Farmers who want to torch their fields must buy permits.

The agreement was negotiated last year by the state, grass farmers and clean air groups.

Mary Anderson, the state’s smoke management program coordinator, thinks it’s a good compromise.

Mary Anderson: “We were able to develop a program that works for everyone. We’re focused on protecting the health and the air quality while ensuring that we still have fire as a tool for the agricultural community.”

Anderson says the first day for burning will be September 2.

The new agreement applies to the fields of the Rathdrum Prairie, north of Coeur d’Alene, where grass growing is a rapidly shrinking industry.

It also applies to all agricultural fields around the state, where burning has become more common.

The new agreement does not apply to burning on Indian land, where most grass is now grown.