Protecting the Air, Land, and People of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation
About the Program
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Air Quality Program monitors and manages air quality across the Reservation to protect human health, cultural practices, and the natural environment. We oversee regulatory compliance, public education, and community outreach.
Primary Goals:
- Maintain and improve air quality on Tribal lands
- Inform and protect the public during air quality events
- Ensure compliance with federal and Tribal environmental standards
- Support cultural practices that depend on clean air
What We Monitor
We collect real-time and long-term data using regulatory and low-cost sensors, including:
- PM2.5 (fine particulate matter)
- Meteorological conditions
This data helps track pollution trends and informs decisions on burn bans, planning, and public health advisories.
Data Access
View real-time air quality data from Tribal monitors:
Rose Creek Longhouse (Worley)
Tribal Headquarters (Plummer)
ECLC (Plummer)
Evangeline Abraham Longhouse (Desmet)
EPA Fire and Smoke Map @ http://fire.airnow.gov
- PurpleAir Map @ http://map.purpleair.com
Need help understanding the data? We’re happy to assist.
Burn Bans and Air Quality Alerts
During wildfire season or poor air quality events, the Tribe may issue:
- Burn Bans
- Health Advisories
- Firework Restrictions
Call the Air Quality Program or check local announcements for the most up-to-date burn status.
Open Burn Rule
To protect air quality and community health, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe enforces an Open Burn Rule that outlines what types of burning are allowed on the Reservation.
Burning is allowed for:
- Clean, dry, natural vegetation (yard waste, branches, grass clippings)
- Ceremonial and cultural fires
- Warming or cooking fires
Burning is NOT allowed for:
- Garbage, plastics, tires, or treated wood
- Construction and demolition waste
- Any material that produces toxic smoke
Permits are required for individuals living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plan to burn for any reason, including crop residue burning, and must obtain a fire safety burn permit during closed fire season. Closed fire season is from May 10 to October 20 each year.
Recreational campfires do not need a burn permit. If you live inside city limits and you plan to burn, a permit from your local fire department may be required.
If you live inside city limits and you plan to burn, a permit from your local fire department may be required. You can obtain a free burn permit from the Idaho Department of Lands at https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/.
Before burning, always check if a burn ban or air quality advisory is in effect. Violations may result in enforcement actions. For questions, contact the Air Quality Program at (208) 686-8101.
Radon Testing
Free Radon test kits are available through the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Environmental Programs office or the Plummer and Tensed Library Lending Programs.
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and can enter buildings through cracks in concrete floors, walls, and floor drains. Any building or home can be impacted. In Idaho, two in five homes test high for radon gas. You can’t see or smell radon, so testing is the only way to determine if it may be a problem in your home.
Health impacts result when, as you breathe in radon gas, it can release tiny bursts of energy that can damage living lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over time. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking commercial tobacco. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is higher.
When your home is closed up in the summer to keep cool or in the winter to keep warm, these are the best times to test for Radon. You simply place the test kit in the lowest livable area in the home.
There are two types of test kits available:
Short-Term Radon Test Kits(3-7 days in length)
- Testing for radon for the first time.
- You have done a short-term measurement before that reported elevated levels, and you need to conduct a second verification test.
- The test is sent to a lab, and you are notified of the results directly.
Long-Term Radon Test Kits (3-12 months in length)
- You have done a short-term measurement before that reported low or elevated levels, and you would like to conduct a second test for verification.
- You would like to know what your radon level is as an average over a longer period.
- Results are visible on the device
To request a test kit or get more information, please contact:
Brittney Nomee
Air Quality Specialist
(208) 686-8101
Brittney.Nomee@cdatribe-nsn.gov
Valerie Wade
Environmental Health Specialist
(208) 686-6412
Valerie.Wade@cdatribe-nsn.gov
Community Outreach and Education
We engage with local schools, Tribal departments, and the public to raise awareness about air quality issues. Programs include:
- Environmental education in classrooms
- Brochures, infographics, and air quality stickers reflecting Tribal values
Contact Us
Brittney Nomee
Air Quality Specialist
(208) 686-8101
Brittney.Nomee@cdatribe-nsn.gov