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Land Board approves record high distributions to beneficiaries up to 2025
KMVT, 8-17-23
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —One of Idaho’s state agencies is getting ready to doll out over 100 million dollars to other state departments.
The Idaho Department of Lands oversees millions of acres of endowment lands that benefit things like public schools and state hospitals. Money is made through site leases and timber sales to name a few.
IDL generated over 52 million dollars of net income from endowment land. That money goes into a fund to be distributed to beneficiaries.
The Endowment Fund Investment Board manages the fund for the state.
That fund had a balance of around three billion at the end of the fiscal year in July and the fund netted record high distributions.
EFIB Manager of Investments Chris Anton says,” You can see from fiscal 2017 through the current 2024 beneficiary distributions have grown from 63.2 million to 103 million a year and today I’m recommending the land board consider increasing those distributions to 103.2 million in fiscal year 2025. It’s a 2.9 percent increase.”
The Idaho Land Board of Commissioners (Land Board) approved the record high distribution. The board is made up of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, State Controller, Secretary of State, and chaired by the Governor.
A full breakdown of beneficiaries and financial information can be found on Idaho Department of Lands webpage.
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Extreme Fire Dangers Warrant Checking Months Old Burn Piles for Smoldering Material
Pocatello/Chubbuck Observer, 8-17-23
Coeur d’Alene – Since much of Idaho now faces Extreme or Very High fire danger, Idaho Department of Lands fire managers ask anyone who burned large piles of materials this spring or last fall to confirm their piles are out cold.
“Recent high temperatures have rekindled material burned months ago that has been smoldering deep within burn piles,” said IDL’s Mica Forest Protective District Warden Terry Zufelt. “Given current conditions, when the piles reignite, they are a serious wildfire risk.”
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Extreme fire dangers warrant checking months old burn piles for smoldering material
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Since much of Idaho now faces Extreme or Very High fire danger, Idaho Department of Lands fire managers ask anyone who burned large piles of materials this spring or last fall to confirm their piles are out cold.
“Recent high temperatures have rekindled material burned months ago that has been smoldering deep within burn piles,” IDL’s Mica Forest Protective District Warden Terry Zufelt said. “Given current conditions, when the piles reignite, they are a serious wildfire risk.”
IDL: Check burn piles for fires
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-17-23
With much of Idaho facing extreme or very high fire danger levels, Idaho Department of Lands fire managers are asking anyone who burned large piles of materials since last fall to confirm their piles are out cold.
“Recent high temperatures have rekindled material burned months ago that has been smoldering deep within burn piles,” said IDL’s Mica Forest Protective District Warden Terry Zufelt.
"Given current conditions, when the piles reignite, they are a serious wildfire risk.”
According to Zufelt, devastating wildfires sparked by old burn piles occur far too often. “The Hunter 2 Fire near Blanchard in 2020 started when an old burn pile roared back to life, scorching more than 700 acres.”
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Extreme fire dangers warrant checking months-old burn piles for smoldering material
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-16-23
Since much of Idaho now faces extreme or very high fire danger, Idaho Department of Lands fire managers are asking anyone who burned large piles of materials this spring or last fall to confirm their piles are out cold.
“Recent high temperatures have rekindled material burned months ago that has been smoldering deep within burn piles,” Idaho Department of Lands' Mica Forest Protective District Warden Terry Zufelt said. "Given current conditions, when the piles reignite, they are a serious wildfire risk.”
Devastating wildfires sparked by old burn piles occur far too often, he said.
"The Hunter 2 Fire near Blanchard in 2020 started when an old burn pile roared back to life, scorching more than 700 acres," he said.
There have been smaller wildfires ignited by old burn piles this year.
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At least $11.2 million tab expected out of fire season, IDL said
Idaho Reports 8-15-23
Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller offered a fire season update on Tuesday to the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners, including the anticipated cost of wildfires.
Miller said the numbers have changed, as the numbers he presented are from Aug. 8, but as of that date, emergency fire suppression costs are estimated to be $11.7 million. Of that cost, about $557,000 will be reimbursable, leaving the state with an obligation of an estimated $11.2 million.
As of Aug. 9, IDL lands saw 198 fires, with 152 of them being human-caused, burning about 1,969 acres, according to IDL.
Most large fires burned in Idaho this summer are on U.S. Forest Service land. Miller told the board that most of north and southwest Idaho are forecasted to have an elevated fire risk through September. July left Idaho with above average temperatures and below normal precipitation, contributing to the risk.
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Much of Idaho remains at high fire risk for remainder of summer
KPVI, 8-14-23
As of last week, more than 62,000 acres of land have burned this summer in Idaho, and the vast majority the fires were human-caused.
So far the Idaho Department of Lands has spent nearly $11.8 million on firefighting, and the state remains at elevated risk, according to IDL Director Dustin Miller.
Miller provided a fire season update Tuesday to the state Land Board, where he also discussed potential budget requests and staff proposed ways to add more employee housing.
This year’s emergency fire-suppression costs include contract engines and aircraft, Miller said. Many of these contracts started earlier than the anticipated Aug. 1 start date because of the need for increased capacity.
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How fire restrictions are being used to help prevent human-caused wildfires
KTVB, 8-14-23
IDAHO, USA — Wildfires can wreak havoc on Idaho's landscape, and one way that agencies try to prevent fires is through fire restrictions.
Fire restrictions can prevent flames from sparking by helping curb human caused wildfires.
"Nationally, at least 80% of all fires are human caused," Scott Phillips, policy and communications chief for the Idaho Department of Lands said. "The sad thing about a human-caused wildfire is with a little bit of education and some common sense, it's totally preventable."
Fire restrictions are set by agencies including the Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. They set limitations on human actions and behaviors that could cause fires.
"These fire managers come together, and they figure out what's the risk," Phillips said. "They look at fuel moisture levels, they look at fire danger ratings, they also look at human behavior and activity, if more humans are causing fires. They evaluate these and determine if we should go into Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions, or no restrictions at all."
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Parties react to denial of attorney fee recovery request
Argus Observer, 8-13-23
PAYETTE COUNTY — The gas-fired conflict between officials at Eagle-based Citizens Allied for Integrity and Accountability and Snake River Oil and Gas stayed hot through the spring. A lawsuit filed in 2021 by Citizens Allied in the matter of the Barlow 2-14 gas site in Payette made its way to U.S. District Court Judge David Nye on March 20, with Nye ruling in favor of the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and Snake River Oil and Gas.
The lawsuit alleged that the state violated its own rules by allowing Snake River Oil and Gas to proceed with drilling of two wells at the Barlow site, with a third well proposed, when originally only one well was approved according to Shelley Brock, president of Citizens Allied.
With this in mind, officials with the commission and Snake River Oil and Gas in turn filed a claim to recover more than $224,000 in legal fees and other court costs. But on June 23, Nye denied this request to recover these fees.
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FIRE COVERAGE
Crews continue to fight area fires
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-16-23
Sarah Loop Fire
An aggressive attack from the sky and hard work on the ground by local collaborators helped keep a fire near U.S. 95 in Athol in check, Idaho Department of Lands officials said Tuesday evening.
IDL said the quick response kept the Sarah Loop Fire to an estimated 60 acres with the fire’s perimeter surrounded by fireline and firehose.
While no homes were lost, two outbuildings unfortunately were reported burned.
IDL officials said they are grateful the U.S. Forest Service jumped in to help, diverting aircraft from the Ridge Creek Fire to add to the aggressive initial attack.
Fire burns 60 acres near Silverwood
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-16-23
ATHOL — A fire that burned 60 acres and for several hours required evacuations of Athol residents Tuesday is now under control after coordinated efforts by multiple agencies.
"It’s completely contained," Timberlake Fire Protection District Fire Chief Brandon Hermenet told The Press late Tuesday evening. "The only structures lost were an RV and an outbuilding. Other than that, no other structures were lost."
There were no fire-related injuries to report, Hermenet said.
The Sarah Loop Fire was reported at 2:55 p.m. a half-mile east of North Targhee Street and East Sarah Loop, northwest of Silverwood Theme Park. A Level 3 "GO NOW" evacuation order was immediately implemented as firefighters raced to battle the blaze, instructing residents to take the evacuation steps needed to give their families and homes the best chance of surviving the fire.
Timberlake High School and Real Life Ministries North Campus opened their doors to serve as temporary shelters for evacuees. The Kootenai County Fairgrounds also provided space for evacuated livestock to be housed.
Aircraft battling the blaze included two very large air tankers, one Type 1 Chinook helicopter, two large air tankers and four fire boss aircraft. In addition to crews and equipment from local fire departments, the ground attack included three hand crews, six engines and two water tenders.
"The attack on this was very aggressive," said Scott Phillips, policy and communications chief for the Idaho Department of Lands, which took command of the fire from Timberlake Fire late Tuesday evening.
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Athol fire mostly contained, evacuations downgraded to ‘get ready’
Spokesman-Review, 8-15-23
ATHOL – The entire city of Athol was evacuated after a fire broke out Tuesday, but residents were allowed to return home that night as crews got a handle on the roughly 60-acre blaze.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Way said around 6:30 p.m. that firefighters contained 70% to 80% of the blaze.
While the whole city was evacuated at first, the order was called off later in the day. Residents bound by state Highway 54 to the north, U.S. Highway 95 to the east, north of Parks Road to the south and Greystone Lane to the west were under a “get ready” to evacuate status at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to Kootenai County Emergency Management’s Facebook page.
The Sarah Loop Fire, which was reported shortly before 3 p.m. between Silverwood Theme Park and Athol, was burning about 1 1/2 miles west of U.S. Highway 95 near the intersection of Targhee Street and Sarah Loop, according to the Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page.
Way said the fire never threatened Silverwood, which continued to operate as normal.
Way said he was unsure exactly how close the fire was to Athol, “but it did get close to the city of Athol.”
The Idaho Department of Lands said on Facebook that two outbuildings burned. Way said no other structures were damaged.
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Sarah Loop Fire forces level 3 evacuations for all residents of Athol, burns 60 acres
KHQ, 8-15-23
ATHOL, Idaho. - The Sarah Loop Fire is fully lined after burning 60 acres, forcing level 3 evacuations for all residents in the city limits of Athol and destroying two structures
All level three evacuations have been lifted or lowered to level 1 (Be Ready). Silverwood Theme Park temporarily went under a level 2 evacuation which has been lifted. Residents are asked to monitor official sources for updated information.
According to the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief, the fire is 70-80% contained. Two structures, a shed and an RV, were destroyed in the flames.
About 150 fire personnel from Kootenai County Fire, Timberlake Fire Protection, the Idaho Department of Lands and the United States Forest Service responded to this fire, including resources from the Ridge Creek Fire.
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Wildfire forces level 3 evacuations near Sarah Loop in Athol
Fox28, 8-15-23
ATHOL, Idaho. – Level 3 evacuations (Go Now!) are in place for residents living in Sarah Loop in Athol due to a wildfire.
Those who live on east Sarah Loop and surrounding areas are advised to leave immediately. Danger is current or imminent in your area. Do not delay leaving to gather your belongings.
The Timberlake Fire Protection District is responding.
NonStop Local KHQ has a crew on the way to the scene to gather more information.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Check back for updates.
Wildfire launches evacuations in Northern Idaho
KIVI, 8-15-23
ATHOL, Idaho — Firefighters are on the scene in northern Idaho battling the Sarah Loop Fire, a 60 acre wildfire burning near Athol.
Fire officials are reporting that while no homes have been lost, two outbuildings were reported burned.
The fire is burning about 1.5 miles west of Highway 95, near the intersection of Targhee Street and East Sarah Loop.
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Most Have Heard of Fire Restrictions, But Few Know How They’re Set
Bonners Ferry Herald, 8-14-23
Coeur d’Alene—-Many Idahoans have heard of fire restrictions during the summertime, but how decisions to implement restrictions are made, and who makes those calls, has always been a little mysterious.
The Idaho Department of Lands hopes to make the fire restriction process more transparent.
The agency publishes Idaho’s most current fire restriction information online via its Fire Restrictions Finder webpage. The page features a GIS-enabled map so you can know what restrictions are in place anywhere in the state before you head out for weekend adventures.
You can find IDL’s Fire Restriction finder online at www.idl.idaho.gov/restrictions. Knowing before you go can help prevent human caused wildfires.
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Idaho fire numbers still on the rise, with more than 65,000 acres burned in the state this year as of Friday
Lewiston Tribune, 8-12-23
As of Friday, 65,853 acres have burned this year by wildfire in Idaho, the Idaho Department of Lands reported.
The cost of firefighting suppression to the state, as of Tuesday, was $11.8 million.
About $557,000 of that is reimbursable to the department for assisting other agencies on their fires, leaving an estimated obligation to the state’s general fund of $11.2 million.
This cost includes contracted aircraft this year and prepositioned contract engines to assist with resource scarcity. These engines are assigned across the state to boost initial attack resources.
Information of estimated fire suppression expenses by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management may not be available until after the fire season, the department reported.
The main wildfires burning in north central Idaho include the Elkhorn Fire 40 air miles east of Riggins; the Midnight Fire 13 miles east of Grangeville; and the Little Bear Fire 10 miles southwest of Powell.
Crews on those fires have been making progress toward completion in the past several days, aided by recent cooler and wetter weather.
The Elkhorn Fire is listed at about 26,000 acres and 36% contained. There are 360 personnel assigned to the fire.
The Midnight Fire is holding at 179 acres and is 50% contained. The lightning-caused fire has 106 personnel assigned.
The Little Bear Fire is 0% contained and is mapped at 1,183 acres. Fifteen personnel are monitoring that fire.
Idaho fire numbers still on the rise
Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 8-12-23
As of Friday, 65,853 acres have burned this year by wildfires in Idaho, the Idaho Department of Lands reported.
The cost of firefighting suppression to the state, as of Tuesday, was $11.8 million. About $557,000 of that is reimbursable to the department for assisting other agencies on their fires, leaving an estimated obligation to the state’s general fund of $11.2 million.
This cost includes contracted aircraft this year and prepositioned contract engines to assist with resource scarcity. These engines are assigned across the state to boost initial attack resources.
Information of estimated fire suppression expenses by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management may not be available until after the fire season, the department reported.
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Q'emlin Park Beach and Boat Launch reopens Saturday, forest and trails remain closed
KXLY, 8-11-23
POST FALLS, Idaho -- The Q'emlin Park Beach and Boat Launch will reopen on Saturday following the Parkway Fire that burned 80 acres.
The Community Forest and hiking trails will remain closed for the next month, according to the City of Post Falls.
The Idaho Department of Lands says if you do go to hike the trails again, watch out for weakened rocks in the area, along with small holes filled with hot ash.
A restoration plan is currently being developed for the area affected by the Parkway Fire.
You can see the extent of the damage from the map below:
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Q'emlin park in Post Falls officially opens to the public following the Parkway fire
KHQ, 8-11-23
POST FALLS, Idaho — Following the Parkway fire, The Q'emlin Park beach and boat launch is set to open to the public the morning of August 12.
On August 4, 80 acres of the Post Falls Community Forest was burned by the Parkway fire.
Crews responded quickly and were able to keep citizens, firefighters and structures safe.
The Idaho Department of Lands is continuing to cleanup throughout the day today. Local firefighters will remain working on the containment area as needed and will be available for any potential flare ups.
There has been significant damage to the Community Forest and staff is discussing on how rehabilitation for the forest will look going forward.
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Breaking News: Endowment Beneficiaries to Receive Record High Distribution
Posted August 16, 2023
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Breaking News: Endowment Beneficiaries to Receive Record High Distribution in Fiscal Year 2025
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) approved distributing a record high $103.2 million to endowment beneficiaries in Fiscal Year 2025. This eclipses the prior year record distribution of $100.3 million by more than 2.9%.
Learn More: https://loom.ly/OAhvtfU
Final Incident Update
Posted August 16, 2023
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Final Incident Update: Sarah Loop Fire Near Athol 100% Contained, Final Mop Up Underway
Fire officials announced the Sarah Loop Fire is now 100% contained and was held to 20 acres. The fire started yesterday afternoon near Athol, approximately 1.5 miles west of Highway 95 near the intersection of N. Targhee St. and E. Sarah Loop.
Kootenai County Emergency Management also announced all evacuations for the incident have been lifted.
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