Up in smoke

The Rathdrum Prairie is now dotted with homes. As recently as last year there were more grass fields than subdivisions. This year, for the first time since the 1970s, thousands of acres of bluegrass stubble will not be burned as summer draws to a close. As more people moved to the area, the more controversial the field burning became. A tradition and a way of life for generations of Rathdrum Prairie farmers has ironically gone up in smoke with a federal court ruling banning the practice. No grass burning, more homes and cars. Progress.