With wildfires burning throughout the region, air quality conditions in Kootenai County Friday evening were "unhealthy" according to government monitors.

By 8:45 p.m., the pollution level was at 154, in the red zone of the air quality index.

At that level, anyone can be affected by the poor air quality. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are advised to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else is advised to limit such activities.

The Post Falls City Council called a special emergency meeting Friday to pass an ordinance that bans backyard fire pits, campfires and all outdoor burning within city limits.

The ordinance, which falls in line with a regional burn ban that was already in place, went into effect Friday afternoon and will be in place until the emergency no longer exists.

Propane (liquid petroleum gas) and natural gas barbecues and equipment are permitted.

"This is an emergency ordinance to take care of the extreme fire danger we have," said Jeryl Archer, fire marshal for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, which requested the ordinance.

Forest and fire officials urge residents to consult their local fire departments for current restrictions within their communities.

Stage II Fire restrictions remain in effect throughout North Idaho. All open burning, including campfires, is prohibited. Smoking is banned unless it is done with an enclosed vehicle or building, in a designated smoking site, or in an area that is 3 feet in diameter and barren of all flammable materials.

By Friday afternoon, the Grizzly Complex fire burning in the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River drainage near Grizzly Peak spread across 4,000 acres, with a large portion of the drainage closed since Thursday.

The Grizzly Complex fire started on Aug. 10 with 16 lightning-caused fires that have since been contained or have grown together. By Thursday evening, the blaze comprised five large fires.

Forest and fire officials expected the five fires to grow into each other Friday, and become three larger fires.

Fire crews continue to assess the area to develop a working plan to battle the blazes.

A red flag warning for a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures with extreme fire growth potential was scheduled to remain in effect until 11 p.m. Friday.

Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Incident summary:

* Parker Ridge Fire - 6,147 acres, 0 percent contained. Northwest of Bonners Ferry.

* Big Lost Fire - 1,280 acres, 30 percent containment. East of Potlatch near Hwy 6, 10 miles south of Emida, 3 miles north-northeast of Harvard, Latah County.

* Not Creative Fire - 150 acres, 100 percent contained, Aug. 13 start, 4 miles north of Rose Lake on the south side of I-90.

* Clark Fork Complex - Includes Scotchman Peak, Whitetail and Marten Fires east of Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, plus six smaller fires in the Kootenai National Forest in Montana.

* Scotchman Peak Fire - 2,876 acres. Started Aug. 13, 4 miles northeast of Clark Fork.

* Whitetail Fire - 764 acres, south of Hwy 200 and 9 miles south of Clark Fork.

* Marten Fire - 5 acres, started Aug. 19 to the west of the Whitetail fire.

* Marble Creek Fire - 115 acres, 0 percent contained. Aug. 11 start.

* Tower Fire - (Kaniksu Complex is 9,180 acres and includes Baldy, Greece Creek, Onata Creek and Tower) Public Meeting Saturday, 7 p.m. at Priest Lake Elementary, Priest Lake. Tower Fire is 8,290 acres and is all in Washington, 2 percent containment. The fire started in Colville National Forest and is visible from Priest Lake.

* Grizzly Complex - 4,000 acres. Started Aug. 10 and includes North Grizzly, South Bobtail, Bobtail, Lower Flat, North Suburban, East Suburban, South Suburban, Upper Stoney, Lower Stoney, Downey, and Grizzly Ridge fires.

Fires were active yesterday, especially South Bobtail, which was at 500 acres Friday with south-southwest spread as fire has compromised the West Fork road and has burned to the Settlers Cedar Grove. The fire is 2 miles north of the structures on Eagle Creek. Point and structure protection is occurring there as well as in South Suburban.

* Snow Peak Complex - 270 acres, includes the following fires: Ruby Point, Basin Creek, Trail 55, Caribou, Lightning Ridge, Chicadee, Game, Pole Creek, My Ruby, and Salt Pork.

Residents in most counties throughout North Idaho can receive evacuation notices by text message by registering with a service called "Nixle." To register, text your ZIP code to 888777 for mobile alerts. This is a free citizen voice and text alert notification service.

Level 1 Alert (Get Ready)

Residents should be ready, made aware of the increased risk and asked to monitor emergency services. Residents should prepare and if needed, take early precautionary movement to relocate, especially those with special needs, pets, livestock or those needing transportation assistance.

Level 2 Alert Voluntary Evacuation (Get Set)

Residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Residents should monitor emergency services. A significant danger exists. It is suggested that you voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends. Be ready to evacuate immediately, especially those with special needs, pets, livestock or those needing transportation assistance.

For closure details, visit Idaho Panhandle National Forest's webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/IPNF.