COEUR D'ALENE -- Open burning has been banned in northern Idaho through Wednesday morning.

Stagnant air has caused air quality to deteriorate at lower elevations. Ralph Paul, airshed coordinator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d'Alene, says those conditions are likely to continue until a storm moves in.

In the meantime, the DEQ is asking people to avoid burning wood if possible.

The National Weather Service has had an air stagnation advisory in place for Idaho's five northern counties since last week.