During the burn season, DEQ posts information on approved burns. The information is updated twice daily while burning occurs.

› Link to Daily Crop Residue Burn Decision Report Web page.

For information on burning on lands other than the five Indian Reservations, or to submit a smoke-related comment or complaint, call 1-800-345-1007. For information on crop residue burning on the five Indian Reservations, contact individual Tribes. 

Under the program, growers must obtain approval from DEQ before burning by registering for a Permit-by-Rule at least 30 days in advance of proposed burn date. Detailed information on when and where the burn is to take place is required on the registration. Link to registration form at left. A $2 fee per acre registered must also be paid at least seven days in advance of the burn. In addition, growers must obtain other permits, if required by other agencies.

Growers must also have completed training in proper burning techniques and good smoke management within the past five years. Online training is available or you may attend any of the following trainings:

* This course is accredited by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture as a pesticide recertification course. Attendees of this grower training session will be eligible for one pesticide applicators recertification credit.

** This course is not accredited as a pesticide recertification course.

Crop residue burning applies specifically to all crop residue, defined as any vegetative material remaining in the field after harvest, or vegetative material produced on conservation reserve program lands. This program does not include burning along ditch banks, fence lines, orchard prunings, or forest slash piles.

Crop residue burning can only occur in fields where the crop residue was generated. Under a rule interpretation recently agreed to by DEQ and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), burning of pasture lands and food plots is now allowed under the crop residue burning program.

Air quality must be considered before burning can take place. Burning will be allowed if pollutant levels are within an acceptable range and smoke is expected to disperse with minimal impact to public health and safety, with special consideration for institutions with sensitive populations (e.g., hospitals, schools). Growers will be notified on the proposed burn date whether burning will be allowed that day.

Burn days are limited to weekdays during daylight hours only (usually 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Burning on weekends and holidays is prohibited.

Access these Web tools to help locate your field and obtain its proper legal description to the quarter-quarter section:

• Google Earth: http://earth.google.com/
• Bureau of Land Management's Township, Range, and Section Display:      http://www.earthpoint.us/townships.aspx

The Crop Residue Burning Operating Guide serves as the agency’s crop residue burning smoke management program implementation tool. It describes in detail the overall and day-to-day operation of the program, including grower and DEQ requirements during the burn and non-burn seasons.

› Link to Crop Residue Burning Operating Guide (pdf).