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Firefighters respond to early morning structure fire
Shoshone News Press, 7-29-22
A Pinehurst home has been declared a total loss after flames ripped through its interior early Thursday morning.
Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 reports that at 1:13 a.m., crews responded to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of South 1st Street. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found heavy involvement in the backyard and at the back of the unoccupied home. While they were able to stop the spread of the flames to a neighboring home, the fire quickly made its way into the rest of the original structure.
After spending the majority of the morning on scene and monitoring the situation throughout the day, the fire was extinguished with no injuries reported.
The Shoshone County Fire Chiefs Association (SCFCA), which includes members from all local fire departments and wildland fire agencies, announced that the local fire danger is moving to HIGH, effective Friday, July 29.
This means that there will be no more open burning permits issued until a significant change in weather occurs. Current permits will be allowed to expire based on the expiration date the purchaser received when they obtained the permit.
“This does not impact or prohibit recreational campfires, but please remember you should never leave them unattended and when you do leave, please make sure the campfire is dead out,” Idaho Department of Lands-Cataldo Fire Warden Chris Myers said. “Unfortunately, our recreational area has a huge problem with people leaving garbage in their campsites and along roadways. Please take the time, before you leave, to dispose of all the garbage found in your recreational site.”
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Idaho officials will allow remote bidding for state lands
Associated Press, 7-28-22
Idaho officials are looking to expand the number of participants in auctions for state lands and potentially bring in more money by allowing remote bidding.
The announcement by the Idaho Department of Lands on Wednesday comes ahead of an Aug. 13 auction in Coeur d’Alene for 10 cottage sites at Priest Lake in northern Idaho and an auction this fall for a 14-acre (5.5 hectare) “high-end” island in Payette Lake near the vacation and second-home town of McCall in west-central Idaho.
“The former live auction process limited participation to those who could attend in person,” Jim Elbin, the department’s division administrator for Trust Land Management, said in a statement. “Remote bidding may increase competition at endowment auctions, helping us better meet our constitutional mandate to maximize the return for our endowment beneficiaries.”
The Priest Lake lots can be viewed online at Corbett Bottles Real Estate Auctions and Proxibid and the Idaho Department of Lands.
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Idaho Department of Lands sends more than 200 employees to various states to assist in wildfire containment
KREM2, 7-27-22
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) announced they have sent more than 200 employees to help combat wildfires across the west over the past couple of months.
Working alongside Timber Protective Associations, IDL sent approximately 221 people to help those in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, California, Washington, Arizona, Montana and Wyoming.
Currently, only 46 employees are deployed.
Employees have also been sent to help the Forest Service and Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho.
“Deploying our firefighters does two things. Our firefighters, especially new firefighters, have gained experience and training and are ready for our local fire season,” State Forester Craig Foss said in a statement. “It also shows our western partners our commitment to help when they are in need so that they reciprocate in our time of need.”
Over 200 Idaho firefighters sent across the West this wildfire season
Idaho Capital Sun, 7-28-22
As of Friday, the Idaho Department of Lands and Timber Protective Association have sent 221 employees to other Western states to assist fighting fires in the field, according to a press release from IDL.
Firefighters have been deployed to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, California, Washington, Arizona, Montana and Wyoming. They’re also assisting the U.S. Forest Service and the Nez Perce Tribe.
The slow start to Idaho’s fire season has made it possible to send firefighters away to gain experience and training while building relationships with the surrounding states, according to the release.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in the release that this was an opportunity for firefighters to gain experience on the dime of other states and the federal government, which gives Idaho taxpayers a bit of a break. The Department of Lands will be reimbursed by the other jurisdictions for the wages and expenses incurred by Idaho firefighters while they are on off-district assignments.
During the 2021 fire season, President Joe Biden increased the federal minimum wage for firefighters to $15 per hour. New firefighters in Idaho are paid $15 per hour to start.
The Idaho Legislature approved a budget that includes the Department of Lands spending over $1 million to make fire-billing, reporting, invoicing, accounting and cost-sharing more efficient by switching from a paper system to the electronic Gold’s Business System. This system is being universally adopted by the Western states, according to the release, and reimbursement from the federal government is typically seen in less than a year rather than up to five years it takes to see it with the current system.
U.S. ag, health secretaries talk Western issues at governors’ association meeting in Cd’A
Idaho Capital Sun, 7-26-22
The breadth of Western issues handled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is wide, but in his address to Western governors on Tuesday in Coeur d’Alene, U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack focused on issues Idaho and the West faces every day.
Issues like longer, hotter and drier wildfire seasons without the workforce to fight them.
Like ensuring ranchers have the ability to process their livestock. Like bridging the urban v. rural divide when it comes to food deserts, where grocery stories are harder to come by.
Crews work to tamp down Buffalo Fire southeast of Lewiston
Lewiston Morning Tribune, 7-25-22
Firefighting crews from the Idaho Department of Lands worked overnight Saturday to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire about 10 miles southeast of Lewiston.
What the agency dubbed as the Buffalo Fire was initially reported Saturday afternoon. It grew to about 16 acres within a few hours, and eventually reached an estimated 128 acres.
The Department of Lands initially assigned several single-engine air tankers and helicopters to work the fire. Three engines and four crews worked overnight to stop the spread.
Crews were mopping up interior hotspots Sunday afternoon. No homes were threatened. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Kamiah Fire-Rescue, IDL, And Other Agencies Respond To Wildfire On Highway 64
DailyFLY, 7-24-22
Kamiah Fire-Rescue is asking people to avoid Highway 64 as they, the Idaho Department of Lands, and other resources are currently working to contain a wildfire happening in the vicinity of mile marker 24.
The public is reminded to not fly drones in the area. If you fly, aerial resources cannot.
Additional information will be provided as soon as possible.
Grass fire flares near Redbird Canyon, is put down quickly
Lewiston Morning Tribune, 7-24-22
A grass fire near Redbird Canyon south of Lewiston prompted a rapid response from the Idaho Department of Lands and Nez Perce County Rural Fire Department Saturday.
The fire was first reported round 2 p.m. By 5 p.m., it had grown to about 16 acres.
“We have a number of aircraft that are helping to knock it down,” said Connor Shropshire, assistant fire warden for the Craig Mountain Fire Protection District.
That includes a couple of single-engine tankers, he said, as well as three helicopters, several helitack crews, one state fire engine “with more on the way,” and at least one county fire crew.
The fire is located “just over the ridge from where we had a large fire last year,” Shropshire said. “We don’t want it to get bigger.”
Lewiston firefighters also responded to a reported structure fire at Blue Ribbon Linen Supply Saturday afternoon.
“It was a pretty small fire, outside in the back of the building,” said Acting Battalion Chief Soren Lowe. “It was pretty quick to knock down.”
The fire was reported at 3:42 p.m. and was extinguished by 3:58.
*UPDATED* Fire Crews Gain Control of Buffalo Fire in Nez Perce County, Fire Spread Stopped at 128 Acres
Big Country News, 7-24-22
**FINAL UPDATE (7/24/22)**
The 'Buffalo Fire' has been controlled and fire spread has been stopped at 128 acres in size, according to an update provided Sunday afternoon by the Idaho Department of Lands.
Fire crews worked throughout the night to control the blaze, which is located about 10 to 12 miles southeast of Lewiston.
As of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, the IDL engines and crews are now patrolling for heat within the fire perimeter, mopping up hot spots, and monitoring the fire area. Fire behavior is minimal.
No homes have been threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered.
Original Story
WAHA, ID - Multiple fire agencies are battling a new start wildfire in the Redbird area, south of Redbird Canyon in Nez Perce County. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the 'Buffalo Fire' was first reported around 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon and is estimated to be around 60 acres and actively burning.
Fire officials say the fire originated on private ownership within Idaho Department of Lands Craig Mountain protection area but is now also burning on Idaho Fish and Game land.
An unknown number of Fish and Game structures are within one to one-half mile of the fire. No homes are threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered at this time.
Initial attack resources on the Buffalo Fire include an Idaho Department of Lands engine, the Nez Perce County Rural Fire Department, a Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest helitack crew, two helicopters (one light, one heavy), and two air tankers (SEATs). Additional resources have been ordered and are also enroute to the scene.
IDL And Other Agencies Battle 60-Acre Buffalo Fire On Saturday
DailyFLY, 7-23-22
The Idaho Department of Lands engines and engine crews worked through the night to contain the 128 acre fire. Crews are still patrolling, looking for hot spots and heat within the perimeter.
The cause of the fire has been determined to have originated on private ownership in the Redbird Canyon area before burning onto Idaho Fish and Game land.
Original Story:
The estimated 60-acre Buffalo Fire is actively burning in the Redbird area, south of Redbird Canyon. The fire reportedly originated on private ownership within Idaho Department of Lands Craig Mountain protection area but is now burning on Idaho Fish and Game land as well. It was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m.
An unknown number of Fish and Game structures are within one to one-half miles of the fire. No homes are threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered.
Initial attack resources include an Idaho Department of Lands engine, a Nez Perce County Rural Fire Department, a Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest helitack crew, two helicopters (one light, one heavy), and two air tankers (SEATs). Additional resources have been ordered and are en route to the scene.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Fire Crews Respond to New Fire Start Between Big Sand Creek and Palouse River, Lightning Confirmed to Be the Cause
Big Country News, 7-23-22
On Saturday, July 23, 2022, Idaho Department of Lands fire crews responded to a new wildfire start on U.S. Forest Service land, located between Big Sand Creek and the Palouse River north of Deary, ID.
The fire, which has been named the Graves Fire, is estimated to be about 2 acres in size as of 2:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon. According to the IDL, the fire is located near fire scar from the previous year's Sand Fire.
The fire is said to be highly visible from Laird Park and Palouse Mountain.
Small wildfire spotted near Deary on Friday
Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 7-23-22
Idaho Department of Lands firefighters battled a 5- to-10-acre fire near Deary on Friday.
The fire, reported at 6:30 a.m. Friday in a clearcut on state grounds, was estimated at moderate intensity with some spotting downwind and had a high potential for growth, the department reported.
No houses or other structures were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation but dry lightning was reported in the area Thursday.
Firefighting equipment included four aircraft, two dozers, two Department of Lands engines and a Deary water tender. Backup resources were expected to join half of the Teakan fire crew and other department firefighters.
Mike McManus is the incident commander on the fire. Anyone wishing more information may visit loom.ly/7ji4pJE.
IDL Responds To Saturday Morning Fire Between Big Sand Creek And Palouse River
DailyFLY, 7-23-22
At 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the Idaho Department of Lands crews responded to a fire on US Forest Service land, between Big Sand Creek and the Palouse River. The fire, which is highly visible from Laird Park and Palouse, has garnered much interest from the public. The Graves Fire is located near the fire scar from last year’s Sand Fire and is estimated to be about 2 acres in size.
Two IDL engines and two 10-person IDL crews are currently on the scene, as well as a Type 2 helicopter.
Investigators found the strike tree, confirming lightning to be the cause of the fire. The Graves Fire was spotted from the Chelsey Fire by Incident Commander Mike McManus last night. Firefighter crews located the fire early this morning.
Find all IDL fire updates at www.idl.idaho.gov/fire
Stage 1 fire restrictions to be implemented for central Idaho
KMVT, 7-22-22
Fire officials announced Friday evening they will be implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions next week.
The restrictions will take place just after midnight on July 26, and will apply to federal, state, state endowment, private forestland, and rangelands within the designated area, according to a joint press release from the Idaho Department of Lands, BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and USDA.
The area of those restrictions includes portions of Custer County located north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area excluding the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Under the restrictions, the following behaviors will be implemented:
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Idaho Power could shut off some customers' electricity in extreme fire conditions
Capital Press, 7-21-22
Idaho Power Co. say they will shut off electricity in some parts of its service area whenever wind storms or other extreme weather increase the risk of wildfire.
The Boise-based utility’s new public safety power shutoff program aims to protect customers, communities, employees and equipment in nine high-risk zones.
In extreme weather or during wildfires, electrical lines and transformers can cause or worsen wildfires. The fires can damage power infrastructure and equipment in addition to putting people and communities at risk.
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Vegetation Fire Along Highway 12 Extinguished After Quick Action from Bystanders, Fire Crews
Big Country News, 7-21-22
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at approximately 1:42 p.m., Kamiah Fire-Rescue Crews responded to mile marker 59 on Highway 12 for reports of a vegetation fire.
Upon arrival of the first units they discovered a small fire with bystanders using fire extinguishers to assist in the suppression efforts. Fire crews with KFR and the Idaho Department of Lands continued to secure the fire until it was fully contained.
KFR initially responded to the incident with a command unit, Type 6 engine, a tactical tender and medical unit. Additional units from the IDL Maggie Creek unit also responded, sending two Type 5 engines.
While the damage of this fire was limited thanks to the quick action of bystanders and fire crews, KFR is using this as an opportunity to remind citizens to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of wildfires this summer.
These reminders include:
- Secure chains of trailers/vehicles to prevent drag and spark throwing.
- DO NOT throw out smoking devices including cigarette ends and other material.
- Avoid parking in or next to dry grass with your vehicle.
- Always carry a fire extinguisher or other device to assist in fire control.
- DO NOT delay in calling 911. With current drying conditions, grasses (fine fuels) are ready to burn as noted in the region lately.
Sharable Social Media Posts
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Online Bidding
Posted July27, 2022
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We are now offering more people the opportunity to participate in auctions for property sales and leases with online bidding. Details in our news release: https://loom.ly/yrw0ycY
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Looking for Fire Restrictions?
Posted July 27, 2022
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 Fire News Feed
Posted July 26, 2022
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Fire season's here. Need help keeping up? We break our fires down in our IDL Fire News Feed: https://loom.ly/rkhUufs
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