Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Protecting human health and the
quality of Idaho’s air, land, and water.

Welcome to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality page, where you’ll receive updates about the department, environmental tips, job postings, DEQ event and workshop information and more. For the official source of information, visit DEQ’s website at http://www.deq.idaho.gov.

Air Quality Meteorologist Tina Perez and Airshed Management Analyst Cassidy Pearson engaged with Treasure Valley familie...
06/11/2026

Air Quality Meteorologist Tina Perez and Airshed Management Analyst Cassidy Pearson engaged with Treasure Valley families at The WaterShed's Greenbelt Quest on May 30!🚲

The event was a self-guided biking quest along a 3-mile stretch of the Garden City Greenbelt. Participants stopped for interactive activities along the way to learn about the Boise River ecosystem and how the greenbelt supports healthy transportation choices.

Tina and Cassidy taught visitors at DEQ's table about Idaho air quality by demonstrating an inversion in a cup and how handheld air quality monitoring devices work!

💧June is National Rivers Month!💧 Idaho's amazing rivers offer so much, including recreational opportunities, irrigation,...
06/10/2026

💧June is National Rivers Month!💧 Idaho's amazing rivers offer so much, including recreational opportunities, irrigation, drinking water resources, and a habitat for fish and wildlife. Help protect these treasured natural resources by:

🌊Moderating water use in your daily activities
⚠️Using and disposing of harmful materials properly
🌻Thinking twice about lawn and garden chemicals
✔️Disposing of waste and medications properly
🚽Properly maintaining your septic system

Photos:
South Fork of the Snake River
Owyhee River
Bruneau River
Coeur d'Alene River near Old Mission State Park
Boise River
Salmon River
Payette River

Idaho Rural Water Association
Idaho Department of Water Resources

The Idaho Rural Water Association broke ground on a new emergency services storage facility last week. At the groundbrea...
06/09/2026

The Idaho Rural Water Association broke ground on a new emergency services storage facility last week. At the groundbreaking, DEQ Drinking Water Bureau Chief Tyler Fortunati spoke about the importance of safe drinking water and emergency response resources to get water back online as soon as possible after a disaster.

The new storage facility will house transfer pumps, potable water tanks, generators, and other equipment to keep on standby in the event of a service-interrupting emergency.

Construction on the facility is scheduled to finish this fall!

DEQ's senior management team volunteered at The Idaho Foodbank this week, sorting and packing 8,500 pounds of canned foo...
06/06/2026

DEQ's senior management team volunteered at The Idaho Foodbank this week, sorting and packing 8,500 pounds of canned food in two hours! We loved the opportunity to support the foodbank's mission to provide free food assistance to Idahoans in need💪

Wildfire prevention is so fetch🔥 Most wildfires are human-caused and preventable - do your part to prevent wildfires and...
06/05/2026

Wildfire prevention is so fetch🔥

Most wildfires are human-caused and preventable - do your part to prevent wildfires and wildfire smoke:

🔥Never leave campfires or debris burns unattended.
🔥Avoid burning during windy conditions. Wind can cause embers to spread quickly, igniting dry vegetation.
🔥Ensure campfires and hot coals are completely extinguished by drowning, stirring, and feeling for heat.
🔥Use spark arresters on equipment. Chainsaws, ATVs, and other machinery can produce sparks that ignite dry grass and brush.
🔥Don’t drive or park on dry grass. The undercarriage of your car is hot and can catch vegetation on fire.
🔥Don’t let tow chains drag. Dragging chains can cause sparks.
🔥Obey all local fire restrictions. Check before starting any outdoor activities that involve fire.

Find more wildfire prevention tips at https://smokeybear.com/



Idaho Department of Lands
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Everyone should reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. Most healthy adults will experience relatively minor effects like res...
06/04/2026

Everyone should reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. Most healthy adults will experience relatively minor effects like respiratory or eye irritation. Children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart or lung disease, or other health conditions may be at greater risk of experiencing more severe health effects.

Speak with your doctor before wildfire season and prepare a plan to keep yourself safe:

➡️ Refill essential medications
➡️ Gather any specialized equipment you might need
➡️ Talk to your doctor about whether N95 masks are right for you
➡️ Have an evacuation plan that includes a cleaner air space
➡️ Find ways to protect your mental health during long smoke events

Idaho Department of Lands
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
U.S. EPA Northwest Region

06/03/2026

Keeping your indoor air clean is one of the best ways to stay safe during wildfire smoke events. You can create a clean room in your home with a few simple steps:

➡️ Close windows and doors
➡️ Run an air purifier with a HEPA filter, or follow the process in the video to make a DIY clean air fan
➡️ Avoid burning candles, incense, or scented products
➡️ Skip cooking methods that create smoke or strong smells.

When you need to shelter indoors, these strategies can make your home more comfortable for both people and pets. Your heart and lungs will thank you!



Idaho Department of Lands
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
U.S. EPA Northwest Region

Proud of the DEQ staff who participated in May in Motion 2026! May in Motion is a month-long campaign hosted by Ada Coun...
06/02/2026

Proud of the DEQ staff who participated in May in Motion 2026! May in Motion is a month-long campaign hosted by Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to encourage participants all over the Treasure Valley to reduce car emissions by finding alternate commutes like biking, busing, carpooling, etc. Fewer cars on the road contributes to our mission of protecting Idaho's air, water, and land, so DEQ is in it to win it every year!🚲🚶‍♂️🚍

ACHD Commuteride

The best time to prepare for wildfire smoke is before the wildfire season begins🔥 Be ready to take these actions to prot...
06/02/2026

The best time to prepare for wildfire smoke is before the wildfire season begins🔥 Be ready to take these actions to protect yourself and reduce your smoke exposure:

✅ Monitor wildfire activity and air quality in your area at fire.airnow.gov
✅ Use air purifiers, a HEPA filter in your HVAC system, or create a DIY clean air fan
✅ Limit physical activity outdoors when air quality is poor
✅ Talk to your doctor about whether N95 masks are right for you
✅ Identify a “clean air room” to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke while indoors

How to set up a clean room: https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire

How to make a clean air fan: https://youtu.be/X9sqvf00otg?si=1mRLrPNatp25asws



Idaho Department of Lands
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

There have already been several wildfires in Idaho this year. Be smoke ready to protect your health this summer: ➡️ Keep...
06/01/2026

There have already been several wildfires in Idaho this year. Be smoke ready to protect your health this summer:

➡️ Keep tabs on wildfire activity and air quality at fire.airnow.gov
➡️ Check out our daily smoke forecasts at idsmoke.blogspot.com
➡️ Download the AIR Idaho app to check current air quality and see air quality forecasts

Fine particle pollution is a major part of wildfire smoke and a threat to public health. It can travel deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream.

Particle pollution doesn’t just affect outdoor air quality, wildfire smoke particles can enter homes and buildings, potentially impacting indoor air quality.

Keeping track of wildfire activity, current air quality, and smoke forecasts will help you make good decisions for your health during wildfire smoke events 👍

Photo 1: Black Ridge Fire near Richfield, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire
Photo 2: Dewoff Fire near Burley, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire
Photo 3: Moore Fire near Kuna, ID, credit BLM Idaho Fire

Idaho Department of Lands
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Address

1410 N Hilton Street
Boise, ID
83706

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12083730502

Website

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