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Current News Coverage
State: Groundwater seeping near Triumph Mine likely contaminated
Idaho Mountain Express, 5-26-23
A pond next to the lower tailings pile near the Triumph Mine in East Fork is likely spilling over the soil cap on the tailings pile, saturating the tailings underneath and causing iron oxide residue and potentially other contaminants to leach from the waste, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
The two tailings piles near East Fork Lane sit on land owned by the Idaho Department of Lands. In the late 1990s, the piles were flattened and graded, covered with a clay seal and six inches of clean soil, and seeded with native vegetation as part of mine-site remediation.
Idaho recruits loggers to fight fires
KMVT, 5-25-23
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — As we enter fire season, the need for qualified and skilled firefighters has gone up each year as well as the competition between agencies to recruit firefighters.
Idaho Department of Lands is trying to meet that need with those that are already in the area of most wildfires. As they have expanded a program that originally recruited ranchers to loggers.
Last year the program saw 110 loggers and industrial foresters start the process.
56 of them completed the two part training, Something Governor Brad Little says is good for the state.
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Wildfire Alerts from Idaho Department of Lands Make Fire Information More Accessible
Rexburg Standard Journal, 5-24-23
Before peak fire season arrives, Idahoans are encouraged to sign up for Wildfire Alerts from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). When fires approach a community’s doorstep, that isn’t the time to be searching for information.
IDL’s Wildfire Alerts system allows citizens to sign up now to receive alerts for wildfires near their community. The system covers approximately 9 million acres of private, state and federal land IDL protects. Alerts are sent via SMS/text messaging or email for fires that exceed 10 acres or threaten structures.
IDL launched this new Wildfire Alert system last fire season, bridging the gap between emergency notifications for evacuations sent by county sheriffs using platforms like Nixle and general wildfire information that the public commonly seeks.
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Idaho Department of Lands encourages Idahoans to sign up for the Wildfire Alerts system
KTVB, 5-24-23
IDAHO, USA — Hazy skies loomed over parts of the Treasure Valley last weed, caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires - a sign that wildfire season in Idaho isn't far away.
As the weather warms, firefighters and government agencies are preparing for the battle against wildfires this summer.
And there are ways you can prepare too.
The Idaho Department of Lands is one of several government agencies that respond to wildfires across the state. They offer a Wildfire Alerts service to help give Idahoans up to date info on wildfires, when minutes can make all the difference.
"We're starting to talk in terms of fire years instead of fire seasons, we really have to be prepared," Robbie Johnson, public information officer for the Idaho Department of Lands said. "For Idaho, right now we have seen small fires, they haven't gone anywhere, we've been able to get them out. But it's already time where those wildfires can start, and particularly at a time where people are going out and recreating."
The Idaho Department of Lands protects nine million acres across the state from wildfires. That area includes state land, which manages resources and generates revenue; industrial land, used for industries including timber; private forests and the wildland urban interface - area where buildings meet undeveloped land.
"That's where more and more people are building homes, they have their cabins. And that's a huge area that we're very concerned about as we grow as a state," Johnson said.
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Wildfire Alerts from Idaho Department of Lands Make Fire Information More Accessible
Idaho County Free Press, 5-24-23
Before peak fire season arrives, Idahoans are encouraged to sign up for Wildfire Alerts from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). When fires approach a community’s doorstep, that isn’t the time to be searching for information.
IDL’s Wildfire Alerts system allows citizens to sign up now to receive alerts for wildfires near their community. The system covers approximately 9 million acres of private, state and federal land IDL protects. Alerts are sent via SMS/text messaging or email for fires that exceed 10 acres or threaten structures.
IDL launched this new Wildfire Alert system last fire season, bridging the gap between emergency notifications for evacuations sent by county sheriffs using platforms like Nixle and general wildfire information that the public commonly seeks.
READ MORE
Annual field day event draws 108 students
Idaho County Free Press, 5-24-23
WINCHESTER — With perfect weather, the Lewis Soil Conservation District (LSCD) hosted its 50th annual 6th grade field day event at Winchester Lake State Park on May 10. This year, the event was attended by 108 students from Nezperce, Prairie, Kamiah, Highland and St. John Bosco schools.
There were seven stations that students rotated to throughout the day for 20-minute intervals. Eileen Rowan, of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Michael Cistulli, of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), instructed “Soils and Geology.” Jennifer Bruns, from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, brought out the “Take Me Fishing” trailer loaded with poles and tackle and instructed a fishing station. “Fire Control” was instructed by Todd Wright, Owen Case, and Brody Hasselstrom from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). Chris Gerhart, Dave Luther, and Parker Wilson from IDL presented a “Forestry” station. Johna Boulafentis from the Nez Perce Tribe Air Quality Program instructed an “Air Quality” station. Tyler Nelson, IDL and LSCD, took the students for a hike on the “Nature Trail.” Jared Everson and Amelia Patten, of NRCS, and Audra Cochran, of the University of Idaho Extension Office, presented canoe use and safety instruction and assisted with life jackets at the “Canoeing” station.
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Wildfire Prepare and Prevent Week amplifies importance of stopping fires before they start
KIFI, 5-22-23
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Governor Brad Little proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month, and on Monday, he brought attention to the biggest cause of wildfires by declaring the week of May 22 as Wildfire Prepare and Prevent Week.
An Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) education campaign launched this week will help address the biggest cause of wildfires, human behaviors.
“Unwanted, human caused fires are 100% preventable,” IDL Director Dustin Miller said. “But people must exercise common sense, think before acting, and know they are accountable for their actions.”
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Graze to reduce the blaze: Ranching and cattle grazing efforts now reduce wildfire fuels for the summer
Idaho Press, 5-20-23
The herd of black and brown cows and their calves idly grazing just off the road in the Owyhee Front are unfortunately completely unaware of the important purpose they’re serving.
This spring, the cheatgrass in the rangeland is tall and green and full of nutrition for the ranging cattle. When the invasive species is allowed to keep growing long and tall, it eventually dries out during the hot months and becomes extremely flammable.
Livestock grazing on public lands is one tool state and federal land managers are using to reduce wildfire fuels. This doesn’t prevent fires from happening, but will hopefully help slow them down or keep them from growing out of control.
“Livestock play an important role in helping us reduce fine fuel loading out there on our rangelands,” Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said. “Proper grazing is a good thing on rangelands. It helps stimulate the production of natural bunch grass communities, helps reduce fuel loading and decrease the risk of catastrophic fire and it’s beneficial for wildlife that utilize the range as well.”
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Sharable Social Media Posts
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How do we stop human caused fires?
Posted May 23, 2023
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The vast majority of wildfires are human caused. How do we stop this? Know the reason and don't do it. Common causes of wildfires include escaped debris burning, escaped campfires, sparks from dragging trailer safety chains, lighting fireworks in dry areas, throwing cigarettes on the ground or from moving vehicles, and driving or parking vehicles over dry grass.
This is a big thing you will read about in our news release today:https://loom.ly/p-5Ak_8
#IdahoPrepareandPreventWeek
#OneTeam
Prepare and Prevent Message
Posted May 24, 2023
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What??? Fire Prevention Jen is about to fill your reel. Today's Idaho Prepare and Prevent message: If you don't put out your campfire, like really out, like I-can-touch-it-with-my hand out, it can start a wildfire.
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