Wildfire Update
High temperatures are now drying out the grasses through out the state, leading us into more active fire activity.
As of Thursday, July 28, there had been 76 fires totaling 260 acres reported across the 6.3 million acres IDL protects. More than 68% of these unwanted fires were human caused and burned 93% of the reported acreage. Overall, the number of fires reported to date is 63% of the 20 year average. The total acreage burned is just 2% of the 20 year average.
The total estimated suppression costs on land protected by IDL is $7.2 million. Of this amount, $2.6 million is reimbursable, leaving IDL responsible for approximately $4.6 million. This amount reflects up front costs like aircraft contracting.
As of July 1, IDL had on contract two amphibious water scoopers, two type 2 helicopters, and four single engine air tankers. The pre-positioning of these resources is detailed in the attached report.
For 7 of IDL's 12 fire protective districts, the fire danger rating is high and for the remaining 5 districts the rating is moderate. With closed burning season in effect, debris burning is limited in many districts.
The Central Idaho Fire Restriction Area enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions on Tuesday, July 26.
More than 200 IDL and TPA Employees Deployed on Fires Across the West
When the fire season starts out slowly, there is opportunity to provide our firefighting staff with training opportunities and experience in the field while assisting our western neighbors.
As of last Friday, IDL and the TPAs have sent approximately 221 people off-district to help New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, California, Washington, Arizona, Montana and Wyoming. Firefighters have also been sent to help the Forest Service and Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho. 46 people were currently deployed on assignment. What is not included in the numbers are the off-district assignments for helitack and red carded firefighters from local fire departments.
Idaho Department of Lands pays the wages and expenses for staff, helitak and local firefighters while on off-district assignments. Those wages and expenses are later reimbursed by the jurisdictions and federal government agency responsible for the wildfire protection. Currently through a paper process, IDL sends a bill to the responsible agency for reimbursement. The reimbursable amount is currently $2.6 million.
The fire bureau is looking forward to deploying an electronic fire business syste, which the Idaho Legislature approved during the last session. Electronic systems are being universally adopted across the west and will meet IDL's and our partners highly specific fire-billing, reporting, who have gone electronic are reimbursed by the federal government in less than one-year rather than the 3 to 5 years it currently takes IDL to be reimbursed. The hope is to have the system running by next year.
Highlights From a Few Deployments
Public Information Officer Robbie Johnson (PIO2T) just finished her second week with the Type 2 California Incident Management Team 13 at the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Forest.
 Robbie Johnson by the famed Grizzly Giant Sequoia Tree saved from the Washburn Fire
Among her many responsibilities, Robbie shot and produced videos and drafted social media posts for the team. She also introduced a new, streamlined way for incident personnel to share photos and videos with the incident PIOs using a QR code and Dropbox account. She originally developed this new approach for IDL's own use, but it has been well received and is likely to be adopted by other incident management teams. Coverage of Robbie's nationally broadcast interview is viewable online.
Several IDL employees took assignments in Alaska including Karen Robinson (PIO2T). Karen has returned from her 21 days in Alaska. Most of her time was at a fire camp near Fairbanks. She worked with two teams the Great Basin Type 3 IMT 4 and the Idaho Team 1 (IMT3) over the 21 days. The highlight of her assignment was spending time at the fire camp in the Arctic Circle. She helped construct the electric bear fence in a camp and she wrote a story about the use of bear dogs in the Arctic Circle camp. The news story can be read here.
 Karen Robinson in front of the FirstNet Communications truck at the Arctic Circle
Tyre Holfeltz served as the Logistics Chief for Idaho Team 1 IMT3 in Alaska. He was called upon to support operations covering fires from the Yukon River Crossing to North of Snowden Alaska. He faced many challenges. Communications were limited and a repeater system had to be created and deployed for a single network across the entire complex. There were no catering services so "food boxes" had to be created. Grizzly and black bears, wolves and moose were another challenge. They purchased enough parts to put together and electric fence system to surround the food and garbage, supplementing the bear dog patrols.
 Team putting together the electric fence to keep bears and wolves away from food and garbage
Julia Lauch served with the South Idaho IMT3 as Incident Commander trainee on their recent assignment to Alaska. It is an assignment she will never forget. Experiencing fire in Alaska gave her a new perspective on various fuel types and terrain as compared to the lower 48. She also faced a number of challenges. The incident command post was in Fairbanks. It was a 3 hour drive to the northern most camp and a 5.5 hour helicopter ride (with 2 fuel stops) to recon the southern-most fires One remote community was only accessible by air or boat. Communications with remote areas was also very challenging
 Julia Lauch on a boat heading out to a remote area of operations
Safety Alert: Heat wave across Northwest!
A safety alert went out to IDL staff this week in a Safety Newsletter warning of the weather prediction of triple digit temperatures expected this for the next several days and the danger it can pose.
Those who work outside need to be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and how to avoid both conditions. It is important to understand the differences of the two so that appropriate action is taken.
Western Governor's Conference
This week Director Miller joined Governor Little at this summer's WGA conference in Coeur d'Alene. Governor Little was the 2022 chair of the coalition of western leaders. Governors Jared Polis (Colorado), Doug Ducey (Arizona), David Ige (Hawaii), Greg Gianforte (Montana), Doug Burgum (North Dakota), Spencer Cox (Utah) and Mark Gordon (Wyoming) also attended the event.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough delivered keynote addresses. Highlights of the conference included roundtable discussions between the Governors and regional experts addressing wildfire, emerging wildfire technology, cybersecurity, supply chain issues and drought.
New Health Care Plan Year Started July 1
The new plan year started July 1! You can expect to receive frequent communications from Blue Cross of Idaho, Navia (if you signed up for Flexible Spending), Office of Group Insurance and your HR office highlighting new and continuing programs and benefits. All communications are intended to promote your “Benefits IQ” and show you how to put your premium dollars to good use.
Check out the FY23 New Plan Year Highlights that includes information about:
- Coverage for FDA approved weight loss medications
- SmartShopper incentive program
- Pharmacist medical services program
- Removal of dental waiting periods
- Continuing benefits you already have access to
- And more...
Read the FY23 Highlights
Donna Jones Celebration of Life
Donna Jones celebration of life will be held August 13, from 3-7 PM at the Elks Lodge in Ontario. There is a meal that will be served after the ceremony.
Donna’s family has decided on a red, white and blue theme, representative of her service to the people of Idaho.
 Photo circa 2008. Pictured left to right: Roger Jansson, Donna Jones and Mick Schanilec
Timber Bureau, IT Steering Committee Launch New Email Newsletters
Earlier this week IDL's Timber Bureau distributed its first text and email-based timber sale notification using a new service announced in a July 11 news release. This system streamlines communications with timber sale purchasers and allows individuals to sign up online to receive notification about future sales.
The IT Steering Committee also launched a new monthly IT update. This communications helps IDL team members understand the agency's technology priorities and the strategic direction provided by the IT Steering Committee.
Archives of both publications are available under the Newsletter Archive section of our One Team, One Voice webpage.
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Webpage
With multiple communication channels at our disposal – our website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, newsletters and individual conversations – sharing stories broadly has never been easier. However, given this abundance of communication channels, it’s crucial for our team speak with one voice. Otherwise, important messages we’re trying to communicate can be lost.
The One Team, One Voice webpage features the following resources:
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