Outdoor Burning Bans & Otter Talks Ag

Outdoor Burning Bans & Otter Talks Ag. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Idaho's Governor Butch Otter has been pushing agriculture to the consul general of Azerbaijan. While the Governor is pushing ag along with trade, technology and tourism, the Azerbaijan counsel is also pushing Idahoans to consider becoming tourists in the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan relies heavily on its agriculture and hopes that trade deals can be worked out. This was the counsel general's first trip to Idaho since he was appointed in 2012. Azerbaijan is a former Soviet republic that declared its independence in 1991.

It's that time of year when we see very little movement in weather patterns which creates stagnant air over the region and due to that, the EPA has placed a ban on outdoor burning in 3 Indian reservations, the Spokane, Colville and Yakima in Washington State. Nancy Helm with EPA Region 10 has more.

HELM: The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural during including camping and recreational fires in all areas within reservation boundaries. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban. EPA requests that residence reduce all sources of air pollution including excess driving and idling of vehicles and the use of wood stoves and fireplaces unless they are the only adequate source of heat.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.