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The Idaho Department of Lands will again ask the Legislature to spend more money to bolster the state's wildfire protection efforts.
The appropriation for the department’s forest and range fire protection operation was $11.8 million for fiscal 2022 and $15.7 million in fiscal 2023, which began July 1.
The preliminary request for fiscal 2024 is $16.7 million.
The department is “really focusing on putting boots on the ground,” said Josh Harvey, Fire Management Bureau chief.
Positions were added last year in part to help create a more full-time workforce in light of longer fire seasons and virtually year-round work on fire suppression or prevention. Lawmakers also approved firefighter hazard pay to make the state more competitive with federal agencies.
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MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI) - Rusty barbed wire fence lay on the ground for miles. No one is certain when the fences were put up or when they fell down, but it can pose a hazard to livestock, wildlife and those who recreate on endowment land. Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) with the help of volunteers is getting it cleaned up.
Volunteers from Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Mule Deer Foundation, Fish and Game and the public joined IDL to remove nearly 2,300 pounds of old down fence from the Danskin area of the Southwest Supervisory Area.
During two days, 13 people filled two dump trailers and two pickups with rusty barbed wire and debris and it was taken to a local recycling plant.
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Fewer acres burn under IDL protection thanks to a boost in resources
Emmett Messenger Index, 10-12-22
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) went to the Idaho Legislature last session with big needs: increased pay for firefighters, hazard pay, and more firefighters. The legislature responded, funding those needs on behalf of the people of Idaho, and the Governor signed the changes into law.
While IDL isn’t quite ready to call the fire season over, the return on this investment has been encouraging.
The boost in resources meant crews were able to attack fires on the 6.3 million acres of state, private and federal land IDL protects much faster this year. Preliminary statistics show a drastic decrease in the number of acres burned.
As of October 1, IDL had fought 280 wildland fires on lands under its protection, holding the fires to just 4,614 acres burned. That is 97% of the 20-year average for the number of fires. While the number of fires is right on average, the number of acres burned is only 19% of the 20-year average.
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IDL needs qualified firefighters and foresters
Coeur d'Alene Press, 10-11-22
Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) dual mission of financially supporting the endowment beneficiaries, such as public schools, and protecting 6.3 million acres of timber and rangelands from wildfire results in our agency offering Idahoans great employment opportunities to work in the outdoors.
Even as the fire season in Idaho winds down, wildfires across the west remain a staple of nightly news coverage during the summer months. The national wildland firefighter shortage, which includes both entry level and leadership positions, has resulted in a persistent need for Idaho and other states.
Firefighting is just one of many natural resource careers available at IDL. Forestry and forest management is another.
Using the latest technology, IDL foresters ensure our state and private forestlands remain sustainable for generations to come. We manage, harvest, plant and repeat. Our foresters support private forestland management by administering the Idaho Forest Practices Act and helping family timberland owners understand and implement solid forest management practices.
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IDL: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RESULTED IN FEWER ACRES BURNED
Pacific Northwest Ag Network, 10-10-22
While the fire season is not quite over, the Idaho Department of Lands is reporting a “drastic decrease” in the number of acres burned this year. According to IDL leadership, it started last year when the Department went to state lawmakers, asking for: increased pay for firefighters, hazard pay, and more firefighters. The boost in resources, approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Brad Little, meant crews were able to attack fires on the 6.3 million acres of state, private and federal land IDL protects much faster this year.
Preliminary statistics show a drastic decrease in the number of acres burned. As of October 1st, IDL had fought 280 wildland fires on lands under its protection, holding the fires to just 4,614 acres burned. That is 97% of the 20-year average for the number of fires. While the number of fires is right on average, the number of acres burned is only 19% of the 20-year average. For comparison, as of October 1st, 2021, IDL had fought 391 wildfires that burned nearly 141,981 acres. Department officials said given the severity of the 2021 fire season, there weren’t enough firefighters to stop the fires early.
“Last winter’s strategic investments in Idaho’s wildland firefighting capabilities paid off,” said Governor Brad Little. “We helped protect our forests, watersheds, communities, and economy from the devastating effects of wildfire.”
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Bridge replacement begins Monday
Bonner County Daily Bee, 10-9-22
CLARK FORK — The U.S. Forest Service will begin replacement work on the Johnson Creek Bridge near Clark Fork River starting Monday, Oct. 10.
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Pend Oreille, the bridge will remain closed to public use for the duration of the project with an expected completion in February 2023. During that time, travelers should use alternate driving routes.
Johnson Creek Bridge, a treated timber structure built in 1957, is located at mile marker 0.71 on Johnson Creek Road. The bridge is located immediately south of the Clark Fork River delta, near Highway 200, just west of Clark Fork.
Forest Service engineers have identified structural deficiencies in the timber structure and will replace it with a concrete bulb tree bridge that will provide access to the Johnson Creek-Lakeview Road for decades to come.
This project is undertaken in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Idaho Department of Lands.
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Join Our Team
Posted October 13, 2022
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JOIN OUR TEAM
This could be your new office by the Idaho Capitol.
We have an opening for a Financial Executive Officer at our Director’s Office in Boise.
If you are interested (we know you are), please visit the Division of Human Resources website at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/.../financial-executive...
The position is open through October 20, 2022.
#IdahoJobs
#OneTeam
 What are you looking for?
Posted October 14, 2022
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What are you looking for? IDL’s most-used GIS maps are located on the Idaho Department of Lands main website at https://loom.ly/DA2o4W8. These are interactive maps that allow people to zoom in and locate Idaho Endowment Land, recreation access, leasing opportunities and more.
#GIS
#Idaho
#OneTeam
Burn Permits
Posted October 8, 2022
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Planning some burning this weekend? Please remember you still need a burn permit until October 20. Idaho law (38-115) requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, to obtain a burn permit during closed fire season. Get your permit here: burnpermits.idaho.gov
**Campfires do not require a burn permit**
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