Kootenai County Fire to Conduct Controlled Brush Burning at Black Bay Park

Black Bay Park neighbors should expect visible smoke and limited park access when City of Post Falls public works and parks crews conduct supervised brush pile burning on March 9 to dispose of material from recent bark beetle tree removals. The city posted a NewsFlash on March 05, 2026 announcing the operation and warning residents that the work is planned and controlled.

The NewsFlash read in full: "City crews will be conducting supervised brush pile burning next week (3/09) at Black Bay Park associated with bark beetle tree removals in the area. Residents may see smoke in the area during this time, but this is planned and controlled work." The notice was posted to the City of Post Falls website under the title "Brush Burning at Black Bay Park" and included the city contact block listing City of Post Falls, 408 North Spokane Street, Post Falls, ID 83854, phone 208-773-3511.

Separate, county-level mitigation work has been underway around Post Falls. "Kootenai County Fire and Rescue are collecting flammable materials near Post Falls and conducting controlled burns in that area," KHQ reported in an updated story on March 7, 2026. KHQ also relayed a Kootenai County social media post saying, "According to a Kootenai County social media post, fire and rescue officials are working at Q'emiln Park and conducting controlled burns to mitigate the potential for brush fires this fire season." That report noted, "The work will continue for the rest of February and may result in some smoke near Post Falls."

Officials and residents are watching these planned operations against the backdrop of recent on-the-ground fires. KREM reported that "Kootenai County fire crews responded to a large bush fire on North Greensferry Road and East Hayden Avenue." The KREM account said, "A farmer's combine started the fire," and added, "The high winds caused the fire to burn 60 acres." KREM quoted fire officials saying the blaze was contained and that "The farmer was able to create a perimeter around the fire. If the flames had jumped the perimeter and crossed over the road the fire would have been much worse." The KREM incident is presented as a distinct, reactive suppression event and is not tied to the scheduled Black Bay Park burn in city notices.

KHQ placed local controlled burning in a wider prevention context, noting, "Wildfires have become a threat to the environmental and economic health of the inland northwest. Recent federal funding for wildfire prevention efforts is intended to address the impact of climate change upon the nation’s forests and identify ways to prevent future disasters." Post Falls residents seeking details about the Black Bay Park burn can contact City of Post Falls at 208-773-3511 or the City offices at 408 North Spokane Street for information on timing, park access, and any safety advisories the city issues as work proceeds on March 9.