Bonner County Emergency Management

05/28/2026

ATTN: PRIEST LAKE, COOLIN, NORDMAN - Bonneville Power Administration OUTAGE on Monday, June 15​, and Tuesday, June 16​, from approximately 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Northern Lights members in the Priest Lake area will be impacted by the Bonneville Power Administration outage.

This includes all Northern Lights members north of Priest River and those in Priest Lake and surrounding areas, including both sides of the lake, Coolin, and Nordman.

Here is a link to our webpage with more detailed information and frequently asked questions.

The Bonneville Power Administration will be working on transmission lines near its Priest River substation, replacing nearby transmission power poles and working on equipment inside the substation. A power outage is needed to safely perform these infrastructure upgrades intended to improve the relia...

05/25/2026

05/06/2026

Burn Permits Required in Idaho Starting May 10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2026

Boise, ID — Starting May 10, Idaho residents outside city limits are required to obtain a burn permit for most outdoor burning activities. The annual closed burning season runs through October 20, ensuring compliance with Idaho law (Idaho Code 38-115) and the reduction of unwanted human caused wildfires.

Who needs a permit: Individuals living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho, who plan to burn for any reason including yard waste and crop residue must obtain a burn permit. Recreational campfires do NOT require a burn permit.

How to get a Burn Permit: Visit the self-service website https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/ Permits are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office. Burn Permits are free and good for 10 days. You must have your permit with you when burning. No matter where you want to burn and what you plan to burn, our system will either issue you the burn permit you need on the spot or tell you which entity to contact for alternate or additional permits. Using burnpermits.idaho.gov also connects you to tips for safe burning practices.

Why get a Burn Permit: Obtaining a burn permit lets fire managers know where permitted burning is occurring so they can respond more quickly, potentially reducing the liability of the burner. Permits also help prevent false runs to fires that are reported to dispatch, saving firefighting resources for instances when they truly are needed. And it is the law.

How to know if burning is allowed: Visit burnpermits.idaho.gov to learn about the types of burning allowed in your fire protection district. Some types of burning may not be allowed at times due to heightened wildfire risk. Additionally, some local jurisdictions and counties may have other burning requirements or restrictions in place. Always check with your local fire department or county sheriff’s office before lighting.

Air quality restrictions: Ensure your burn complies with air quality regulations. Visit the Idaho DEQ website at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/smoke-and-burning/ for more details or contact your Tribal government if burning within Reservation boundaries.

Additional assistance: If you have questions about Burn Permits and requirements, contact Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management in Coeur d’Alene at (208) 769-1525.

# # #

CONTACT

Jen Russell
Idaho Department of Lands
Fire Prevention Officer
208-666-8685

Smoke from outdoor burning and woodstoves are a significant source of air pollution in Idaho and can have serious health consequences. However, when

04/10/2026

NOTICE: "A USFS prescribed fire is occurring today, 4/10/26, on Long Mtn., east of Vay, ID. There is a potential for short-term smoke impacts."

03/18/2026

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awards spillway gate replacement contract; announces refill date at Albeni Falls Dam
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/SEATTLE DISTRICT
Published March 18, 2026

https://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/4437685/us-army-corps-of-engineers-awards-spillway-gate-replacement-contract-announces/

SEATTLE --
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials awarded a $20,395,700 contract on Feb. 26 to Knight Construction & Supply Inc., to replace all 11 spillway gates at Albeni Falls Dam, in Oldtown, Idaho, ensuring continued flood risk management, hydropower generation and recreational opportunities for years to come.

USACE will also begin gradual spring refill of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, April 1, managing 2026 summer lake levels within the normal summer elevation band of 2062.0 - 2062.5 feet, as measured near Hope, Idaho.

USACE indicates it is too early to determine the date on which Lake Pend Oreille will reach normal summer levels but expects to achieve this once any major flood risk has subsided, while also considering the current limitations of the spillway gates.

All USACE managed recreation areas will open as scheduled for the 2026 season. Riley Creek Recreation Area will open for the season May 9, and Albeni Cove, Priest River and Springy Point Recreation Areas will open May 16.

USACE representatives will share additional details on spring refill at an upcoming public meeting May 7, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Other discussion topics will include restricted operations, spillway gate replacement project updates, recreation area updates and forecast for snowpack and inflows.

Public Information Meeting Details:
Thursday, May 7, 5:00 -7:00 p.m.

Sandpoint Center
414 Church St.
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864

Contact
Taylor Johnson
208-437-3133
[email protected]
or
Nicole L. Celestine
206-554-1894
[email protected]

03/17/2026

**FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
IMPACTS**

- Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Rock and mudslides will be possible for areas in steep terrain and near burn scars.

- Rain and increased snow melt Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon will result in quick rises on creeks and streams.
THIS INCLUDES EASTERN BONNER COUNTY, ALONG LIGHTING CREEK.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood