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Forest land owners, community invited to field day
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-26-22
The Idaho Forest Owners Association is inviting the community to attend this summer’s Forest Owners Field Day.
The event will be held Saturday, June 18, at the Pine Street Woods in Sandpoint. This is an outdoor educational experience not to be missed if you own forestland or just like to understand forests. There will be talks and demonstrations on forestry topics that will enlighten and amaze you!
Located just west of downtown Sandpoint, Pine Street Woods Community Forest was purchased by Kaniksu Land Trust in 2019 for the purposes of education, conservation, and recreation. These 180 acres of rolling hills, healthy woodlands, and beckoning trails provide a place for all residents to learn, play, and connect with nature forever.
Aero-Flite of Spokane will introduce the basics of aerial firefighting, and Idaho Department of Lands specialists will help you learn what is infecting your trees from the roots to the crown be it a fungus or beetle.
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Tall crane makes short work of hazard trees
Clearwater Progress, 5-26-22
Towering giants, but a hazard to public: seven pine trees adjacent to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) office in Kamiah were removed this month in a high-reaching operation.
According to Keith Holcomb of Cottonwood, Holcomb Crane Service, Tree Master out of Kooskia contracted the work with IDL and Holcomb to assist in the removal of the seven trees that averaged around 110’ tall and ranged from 8,500 to 24,000 pounds.
“Tree Master contracts work with Holcomb Crane service for a few reasons,” Holcomb said. “It’s safer for the crews, saves time on the labor, no damage to the ground or buildings next to the trees. Another great advantage is being able to remove the trees in lengths that can be used to make lumber.”
He said trees can be in a bad location behind houses with limited access, overhanging above the houses. With a crane, a climber can be safely raised to the top of a tree and remove it safely without any damage.
“We are safely able to remove trees at about a 180’ radius and heights up to 240’,” he said.
The crane operation on May 11 took about five hours in total. Each tree was lifted in one pick with the crane, with minimal counterweight, and 140-feet of main boom, and only set up in two locations.
“Dan Julian, owner of Tree Master, has extensive experience in tree care,” Holcomb said. “His knowledge of tree care is what makes projects like this happen safely and proficiently. He also has a great crew that efficiently processes the timbers without any down time.”
The timber was hauled by a self-loader to Clearwater Forest Industries in Kooskia.
Priest River student wins regional honors
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-25-22
Smokey Bear made a visit to Priest River Elementary last Thursday, bringing along with him a few friends and news that several students had won prizes in the annual poster and fire safety contest.
Fire personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands, presented campfire safety information to the students and poster contest winners received certificates and prizes.
Posters from four elementary schools in western Bonner County are judged in November. Winners at the district level are then sent to the state level and, if successful there, go to the regional level.
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US Forest Service briefs firefighters on pay and new job classification
Wildfire Today, 5-24-22
Today in a live online presentation to their firefighting personnel, the U.S. Forest Service (FS) gave an update on the status of the changes to their pay that are required in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that was passed in October.
It was presented over the course of an hour by Jaelith Hall-Rivera, Deputy Chief for State & Private Forestry and Brian Rhodes, Program Manager for Firefighter Series and Pay, and Human Resources.
Temporary pay supplement
Ms. Hall-Rivera said the pay supplement authorized by the legislation will hopefully begin appearing in paychecks in June. It will increase the salary of wildland firefighters by $20,000, or 50 percent of their base salary, whichever is less. There is a finite amount of funds appropriated for this increase, $480 million which also includes funding for a few other purposes, so unless and until additional dollars are authorized by Congress it is considered temporary. They are hoping to avoid employees receiving a pay increase, followed by a pay cut, and finally the permanent pay increase later when the new job series and pay structure is implemented.
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Forest Service suspends prescribed burns following the New Mexico wildfire
Boise Public Radio, 5-24-22
At 8:00 this morning almost three thousand people were fighting a gigantic wildfire in New Mexico, which has burned more than 300,000 acres.
It was last month when a prescribed burn, conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, escaped resulting in the Hermit's Peak fire. That fire later joined the Calf Canyon outbreak, creating the largest wildfire New Mexico has ever seen.
According to a report from NPR hundreds of structures have burned and many people are angry, sparking backlash against prescribed burns, not just in New Mexico, but across the West.
Friday the Forest Service put a pause on prescribed fires while a 90-day review of protocols takes place.
Joining Idaho Matters to talk more about the risks and benefits of prescribed fires is the Outreach Coordinator for the Idaho Prescribed Fire Council, Brett Miller.
Wildland Firefighter Foundation opens Boise headquarters
KTVB, 5-20-22
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF) celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Boise headquarters Friday.
WFF's facility includes exhibits to honor fallen wildland firefighters. The largest Honor Guard presentation in wildfire history happened during Friday's celebration, as 40 honor guards from agencies across the United States paid tribute to the walls of honor.
The foundation helps wildland firefighters who are hurt and helps the families of deceased firefighters. WFF offers grief and bereavement counseling, as well as mental health assistance through the foundation's "One Foot in the Black" program.
During the Gem State's last fire season, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) said residents were curious how they could help and support wildland firefighters. IDL recommended people donate to WFF.
The response to IDL's recommendation was significant, with more than $10,000 donated to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
WFF relies on donations to provide its tragedy assistance programs as a charitable organization.
Burn permit system scheduled for maintenance this Sunday
KIFI, 5-20-22
On Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT, Idaho Department of Land’s (IDL) burn permit website will undergo maintenance and burn permits will not be available during this time.
Since the permits are valid 10 days from the date of issue, those who have plans to burn this weekend should apply for a permit now. Permits are free, applying only takes a few minutes, and the permit is issued immediately.
During closed burning season from May 10 to October 20, Idahoans living in unincorporated areas are required to obtain a free burn permit from IDL prior to burning debris. Permits are available online through a self-serve application.
The burn permit system reduces the number of false alarms and allowing fire crews to respond only when truly needed. Having a burn permit on record means fire managers can also respond more quickly to fires that escape.
You can apply for a burn permit here.
Guest Opinion: Idaho’s future should never be for sale
Argus Observer, 5-22-22
In recent months, oil and gas industry representatives have launched an aggressive PR campaign designed to curry favor with the public and media over controversial Idaho drilling operations. Their attempts to politicize the issue and discredit citizens who express concerns over the well-documented threat oil and gas extraction presents to residential communities, private property rights, critical water resources and public health are straight out of the industry’s playbook.
Their frustration with this reported $160 million investment is understandable. In the decade plus since modern drilling started here (after 85 years of commercial failure by larger oil companies) the never-ending promises of massive riches for taxpayers and royalty owners, and countless jobs this industry was suppose to deliver have never materialized.
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Sharable Social Media Posts
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Work in Wildland Fire
Posted May 26, 2022
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***Work in wildland fire, find your location and apply***
Application deadline is tomorrow!
We are recruiting for a Lands Resource Foreman.
We have 10 different openings in the following locations in Idaho:
Priest Lake
Bonner's Ferry
Sandpoint
Coeur d'Alene
Cataldo
St. Maries
Kamiah
Craigmont
Boise
This position is a benefited .83 FTE working at least 1,726 hours a year.
The Lands Resource Foreman performs technical, operational, and administrative duties in support of wildland fire suppression management through ensuring daily readiness of assigned personnel and equipment to safely and effectively respond to wildland fires.
Rate of Pay: $20.30
Apply online by: 5/27/2022
https://loom.ly/BiUdKQ8
Know Your Home Ignition Zone
Posted May 26, 2022
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Today's Wildfire Awareness Month tip: Know what your home ignition zone is. Survivable space can help save your place from wildfire. Thin and prune trees within 125 ft. of your home like you see in this #BeforeandAfter. Prepare for fire season at https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/
Still Time to Apply
Posted May 25, 2022
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Still time to apply, but you need to do it now please! Deadline is today.
We have an opening for an IT Operations and Support Senior Technician in Boise.
Full-time Benefitted
Rate of Pay: $22-$24
Apply online by: 5/25/2022
Visit: https://loom.ly/KdjX1YA
#IdahoJobs
#OneTeam
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