Emida Fire Protection District

05/09/2026

Open Burn closes May 10th. Burn permits are required.

04/03/2026

A few of our firefighters preparing for the Red Card pack test. Good luck Firefighters.
Front- Firefighters Aaron Mogensen and Michelle Mogensen
Back- Firefighter Teran McKinney, Lieutenant Samantha Carney (Short), and Chief Neil Rife.

03/09/2026

12/18/2025

Emida residents the Fire Department will host a free spaghetti dinner tonight at 3pm. We have hot coffee, heat, and internet. If you need anything please let us know.

12/08/2025

10/17/2025

Closed burning season ending for Idaho


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2025



Boise, Idaho - “Closed fire season," the five months of the year when state burn permits are legally required in Idaho, ends Monday, October 20. Burn permits are normally required from May 10 through October 20 each year and are issued by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).

Idaho law requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, to obtain a state burn permit during the closed period. Many local and county ordinances may require burn permits all year round and it is best practices to contact your local fire department before igniting any woody debris.

“Obtaining a free burn permit outside of the closed fire season helps local authorities quickly identify whether reports of smoke are due to intentional debris burning or late-season wildfires,” said IDL Fire Management Chief Josh Harvey. "No matter the time of year, anyone starting a fire is responsible for that fire until it is out. If your fire gets away, you can be held liable for any property damages and for fire suppression costs.”

For most debris burning, IDL Burn Permits are free and issued immediately upon application online at https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/. Permits for burning crop residue are issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and available online at https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/CRB/.

While temperatures have cooled and there has been precipitation, there are still dry fuels on the ground. If you plan to burn debris this fall, please continue to use caution.

“While we will no longer be in closed fire season, there is still a risk of fire,” said Harvey. “We all need to do our part, using common sense and caution when burning yard waste, slash, or having a campfire when hunting.”

Please use caution whenever burning by following these steps:

General Burning Guidelines

Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of pile.
Keep a water supply and shovel close to the burning site.
A responsible adult is required by law to be in attendance until the fire is out.
If it’s windy and the surrounding vegetation is very dry, it may be best to wait and burn debris another day.
More information about fire prevention information and burning guidelines can be found at https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-prevention-and-preparedness/.

About IDL Fire: Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management (IDL Fire) in partnership with two Timber Protection Associations and with the support of rural volunteer fire departments and other partners, are responsible for fire suppression and prevention on 9.6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL Fire focuses on initial attack with the goal of keeping fires at 10 acres or less. IDL Fire protects and preserves important endowment timber assets that help fund Idaho schools and other beneficiaries, as well as millions of acres of private forestland.

For additional information please refer to the Idaho Fire Prevention website at: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-prevention/

09/30/2025

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that creosote is the likely cause of one-fourth of all home heating fires in the United States - 25,000 fires last year alone.

Since winters are already around the corner, you must be gearing up to use the fireplace and chimney from now on, so it’s imperative to ensure that all these things are ready to work properly throughout the season.

With regular visual inspections both inside your home and out, you’ll make sure your fireplace is in good shape for the burning season.

Checking From the Outside
Examine the chimney to make sure a chimney cap is present and in good repair. The metal cap keeps animals, rain, and snow out of the chimney, while acting as a spark arrester that prevents hot embers from landing on your roofing.

Looking Inside Your Home
With a flashlight, inspect the flue damper to make sure it opens, closes, and seals properly.
With the damper open, check the flue for combustible material such as animal nests or other foreign objects. You should be able to see daylight at the top.
Inspect the fireplace surround, hearth, and firebox to make sure there are no cracked bricks or missing mortar. Damage inside the firebox is serious.
Also, check for obvious signs of moisture inside the firebox, which could mean a faulty cap.

A chimney fire leaves a terrible mess in your home with the smell of smoke lingering for weeks. At worst they can lead to a serious house fire as flames spread through the roof space and if this happens at night when everyone is asleep, the results could end in tragedy.

It would also be a good neighbor to call on any elderly people living nearby to ensure they are protected.

Contact Emida Fire if you would like help inspecting and cleaning your fireplace. Check your smoke detectors. Are they in working order? If your family is in need of a smoke detector, let us know.
Did you know that you may only have about two minutes to safely exit your home during a fire? It’s time to create and practice a home fire escape plan to keep you and your family safe.

09/02/2025

Message from Latah County Sheriff's Office. The Palouse Divide Road is currently being restricted to Residents and Emergency personnel. Also please remember NO DRONES! If you fly, our planes cannot.

06/30/2025

Our hearts are heavy today as we reflect on the tragic events of our neighbors in the Coeur d'Alene area yesterday.

Our deepest condolences go out to the fire departments, the courageous firefighters and the families who have been profoundly impacted by this senseless act. In times of unfathomable loss, the unwavering courage and commitment of our first responders shine through, even as we mourn their ultimate sacrifice.

May we honor their memory by upholding the values of bravery and service they exemplified. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those effected by this tragic event.