Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• No consensus over Idaho field-burning changes

  April 18, 2012 in Idaho Possible changes to Idaho’s field-burning regulations still are up in the air after an advisory panel of farmers, health advocates and regulators agreed that some weekend burning could be considered, … 1

• Fire south of Yakima leaves haze over region

  September 13, 2011 in City, Region Smoke from a wildfire in south-central Washington has left a haze over much of the Inland Northwest. The air quality rating today is moderate in the Spokane area, with fine … 1

• New site for N. Idaho asphalt plant spurs concerns

  August 4, 2011 in City on Page A5 A plan to build an asphalt plant near the Washington/Idaho border at Stateline is raising some concerns about health and public safety from residents living near the proposed site. “Emissions …

• Stevens County burn ban canceled

  January 24, 2011 in News The Washington Department of Ecology has canceled a burn ban in Stevens County because of improving air quality.

• Burn ban lifted in Spokane

  January 5, 2011 in City, Idaho A stage-2 burn ban in effect since Monday afternoon was lifted this morning as air quality improved. 6

• Agency orders ban on burning

  January 4, 2011 in City on Page A1 For the first time in more than a decade, air-quality authorities issued a stage-2 burning ban Monday, meaning all indoor wood-burning and outdoor burning is prohibited except in homes where … 10

• Field burning off to slow start

  August 20, 2010 in City on Page A5 A dramatically reduced level of field burning got started on the Rathdrum Prairie in North Idaho on Wednesday but was shut down when the smoke failed to rise above ground … 1

• Field burning is back, greatly reduced

  August 19, 2010 in City, Idaho A dramatically reduced level of field burning got started on the Rathdrum Prairie in North Idaho on Wednesday but was shut down when the smoke failed to rise above ground … 2

• Spokane, Kootenai could violate EPA’s stricter smog limits

  January 7, 2010 in Nation/World, Idaho, Region The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed stricter health standards for smog, replacing a Bush-era limit that ran counter to scientific recommendations. 9

• Outdoor burning banned in North Idaho

  December 28, 2009 in City, Idaho Outdoor burning has been banned in North Idaho through Wednesday because of stagnant air conditions caused by a layer of cold air at lower elevations.

• Air quality worsened by wind-driven dust

  September 4, 2009 in City on Page A8 Air quality in the Spokane region entered the unhealthy range during the noon hour Thursday after wind gusts up to 35 mph kicked up a dust storm. Devices atop the …

• Temperatures to cool, air quality to improve later this week

  August 3, 2009 in News After a run of hot temperatures, cool weather and thunderstorms are expected to reach Spokane and Coeur d’Alene by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. While the weather outlook …

• When the air inside is bad

  March 10, 2009 in Features on Page C5 Parents have long known that the polluted, pollinated air outdoors can bring on asthma attacks in their children. Now it turns out that many asthmatic inner-city kids are under assault …

• Appeals court reinstates Clean Air rules

  December 24, 2008 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court reversed itself Tuesday and temporarily reinstated regulations aimed at sharply reducing smog and soot from power plants in 28 Eastern states over the next …

• Advisory extended as haze lingers

  November 18, 2008 in City on Page A6 The National Weather Service on Monday extended an air stagnation advisory for much of the Inland Northwest through noon today. Meanwhile, air quality agencies were keeping an eye on elevated …

• Incinerator Debate Still Smoldering Ecology Officials Unhappy With Delay, Quality Of City’s Study

  June 18, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 A study examining the potential health risks of Spokane’s trash incinerator is two years overdue, and state officials say they may take back the $300,000 that paid for the review …

• Scientists Hazy On Cause Of Pollution

  June 16, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A7 Though uncertain what’s causing the resurgence of haze in the Puget Sound area, scientists offer several theories. They include: While air quality has improved at low-lying hot-spots, it may be …

• Seattle Can’t Clear The Air Pollution Down, But So Is Visibility

  June 16, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A7 Sixteen years ago Seattle’s skies were so polluted that environmental regulators declared the air “unhealthful” - or worse - several times a month. Now skies are so clean that the …

• Epa Warned On Clean Air Rules Senator Says New Standards May Be Met With Revolt In Congress Against Clean Air Act

  February 12, 1997 in Nation/World on Page A1 A controversial Clinton administration proposal to tighten air quality standards prompted a warning Tuesday that it could lead to an unraveling of the nation’s key air pollution law. Sen. John …

• But North Idaho Can Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

  May 8, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 If Spokane is a leader for bad air, North Idaho is its sweet cousin. There are problems with particulates in the Coeur d’Alene-Post Falls area, Sandpoint and Pinehurst. The latter …

• Lung Diseases Exceed Averages

  May 8, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 Spokane’s asthma rate is higher than the national average, and a likely cause is the area’s dirty air, says an Eastern Washington University researcher. Spokane’s emphysema and chronic bronchitis cases …

• Wood-Burning Advisory

  November 27, 1995 in Idaho on Page B3 For Monday, Nov. 27 Sandpoint - Green Kootenai County - Green Pinehurst Valley - Green Green: No restrictions. Yellow: Voluntary restrictions on uncertified devices. Discontinue wood burning until conditions improve. …

• Air Pollution Reports

  November 25, 1995 in Washington Voices on Page V4 A total of 13 air quality complaints were reported to the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority between Nov. 13 and Nov. 19. The most common complaint, open fire, was …