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Nearly 200 Idaho students compete in Idaho State Forestry Contest
Coeur d'Alene Press, 5-10-24
ATHOL — Wearing her Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H Club T-shirt and with a blue clipboard in hand, Timberlake High School freshman Lily Fry carefully observed the branch of a deciduous tree, taking note of its different characteristics.
“I think it’s going pretty good,” she said Thursday morning as she participated in the 41st annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park.
“I’ve been participating since I was a rookie,” she said. “I just like seeing how many of the young people are interested in the forest and all that.”
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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield made an appearance at the Idaho Forestry Contest to support the kids and highlight the importance of cultivating the next generation of Idaho’s forest caretakers.
“The Idaho State Forestry Contest is an absolutely incredible event for any kid, let alone kids who live around Idaho's beautiful forests,” she told The Press in an email. “What an opportunity to get interested in every aspect of forestry. The event captures everything I love about experiential learning. It's math, it's science, it's communication, it's hands-on and it's important education. In fact, it makes me want to get into the woods!”
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Closed burn season starts Friday
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-9-24
Closed burning season starts Friday in North Idaho.
From May 10 to Oct. 20, restrictions on controlled burns will be in place to mitigate fires potentially getting out of control.
“In Idaho, we close the burn season … because this is typically the time of year when conditions dry out and we need to reduce the chance of an escaped or unwanted fire,” said Idaho Department of Lands Pend Oreille Lake supervisory area fire warden Brian Hicks.
While the closed burning season always lasts from May to October, Hicks said that IDL fire wardens in each county have the authority to extend the season later into the year if they deem that conditions are still too dangerous for open burns.
During this time frame, permits are required for any burns taking place outside city limits, excluding campfires. Permits are free to obtain and take just a few minutes to fill out online, Hicks said.
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Avista Says Power may be Turned off to Certain Locations to Avoid Wildfires This Year
Big Country News, 5-9-24
LEWISTON - Avista is adding a new strategy to its wildfire mitigation plan. The utility announced this week that if extreme weather conditions are forecast, like low humidity and strong winds, Avista may turn off power in specific locations to help protect public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS.
“Based on learning from other utilities who have implemented PSPS, it would only be used in the most extreme weather conditions,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and COO. “We have other operational changes we can make, and we have been working for years to make our system stronger and more resilient. However, as we encounter more extreme weather events, we want to be prepared for all possibilities, and this is now a best practice in our industry.”
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Ara Andrea, Idaho Statewide Shared Stewardship Coordinator from Idaho Department of Lands spoke about the department’s wildfire prevention, risk mitigation and suppression programs. “The Idaho Department of Lands works collaboratively with partners to carry out fire risk-mitigation projects, convey fire-prevention messaging and plan effective fire-suppression strategies. Our agency supports Avista’s fire-resiliency program, which proactively reduces wildfire threats through grid-hardening and fuels-reduction project funding.”
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Power outages planned by Avista during high fire danger days
KREM, 5-7-24
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Avista customers in Spokane County could see more days without power this wildfire season.
On Tuesday, Avista laid out new strategies for the summer season. In that plan, Avista announced they may turn off power and keep it off on hot, windy days when fire danger is exceptionally high. The plan for the "Public Safety Power Shutoffs" (PSPS), was laid out by a coalition of Avista, the Cheney Fire Department and the Idaho Department of Lands Representatives along side Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.
Avista prepares for wildfire season
Morningstar.com, 5-7-24
SPOKANE, Wash., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista is adding a new strategy to its wildfire mitigation plan. The utility announced today at a press conference with regional partners that if extreme weather conditions are forecast, like low humidity and strong winds, Avista may turn off power in specific locations to help protect public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS.
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Ara Andrea, Idaho Statewide Shared Stewardship Coordinator from Idaho Department of Lands spoke about the department’s wildfire prevention, risk mitigation and suppression programs. “The Idaho Department of Lands works collaboratively with partners to carry out fire risk-mitigation projects, convey fire-prevention messaging and plan effective fire-suppression strategies. Our agency supports Avista’s fire-resiliency program, which proactively reduces wildfire threats through grid-hardening and fuels-reduction project funding.”
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Avista announces plan to cut power during high fire risk weather
KHQ, 5-7-24
SPOKANE, Wash. — A coalition of Spokane community leaders plan to hold a meeting sharing details of updated wildfire resiliency plans and new strategies for the 2024 wildfire season on Tuesday.
Avista announced that if extreme weather and fire inducing conditions occur, they may turn power off in specific locations to help reduce chances of wildfires.
This comes after the DNR released that the gray fire that burned more than 1,000 acres in Spokane was traced back to an Inland Power security light.
Representatives from Avista, the Cheney Fire Department and the Idaho Department of Lands alongside Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown will spoke about the ideas on Tuesday morning.
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Big 41st Annual Idaho State Forestry Contest is Thursday
KMVT, 5-6-24
ATHOL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Who can measure logs with the most accuracy, be the best tree doctor, or consistently determine the board foot volume of a standing tree? Find out Thursday, May 9, 2024, as students gather at the 41st Annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park in North Idaho. About 250 students, 50 coaches/chaperones and 125+ volunteers are planning to participate.
The contest is for students in grades 5 through 12 to compete for scholarships and cash prizes in basic forestry and resource management. The contest is typically held the second Thursday in May and is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and hosted by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
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Closed Burning Season Begins May 10 - Permits Required
Big Country News, 5-6-24
COEUR D'ALENE – Idaho Burn Permits are required annually between May 10 and October 20. Obtaining a burn permit ensures your burn is in compliance with Idaho law (Idaho Code 38-115).
Who needs a permit: Individuals living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho, who plan to burn for any reason including yard waste and crop residue must obtain a burn permit. Recreational campfires do NOT require a burn permit.
How to get a Burn Permit: Visit the self-service website https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/. Permits are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office. Burn Permits are free and good for 10 days. You must have your permit with you when burning.
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Burn permits are required by law in Idaho
KBOI, 5-6-24
Obtaining a burn permit ensures your burn is in compliance with Idaho law.
The Idaho Department of Lands reminds individuals living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho, who plan to burn for any reason including yard waste and crop residue must obtain a burn permit.
Recreational campfires do NOT require a burn permit.
The self-service website BurnPermits.idaho.gov/ is available seven days a week and the permits are immediately issued and valid.
A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office.
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IDL hosting permit workshop
Bonner County Daily News, May 4, 2024
SANDPOINT — The community is invited to join an upcoming workshop on what an Idaho Department of Lands application for an encroachment permit requires.
The IDL's North Ops Navigable Waterways team will be presenting what a complete encroachment permit requires at a Tuesday, May 7, workshop at the Selkirk Assocation of Realtors office, 325 S. Marion Ave. Sandpoint. The workshop begins at 3 p.m.
Those interested are asked to bring their laptop, any application materials they may be working on, and their questions. The workshop is open to the public.
Call the SAR office at 208-265-2227 for information and reservations or email Stephanine Rief at stephanie@selkirkaor.com.
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Local landfill 14 years in the making will serve 80,000 people in four counties
East Idaho News, 5-2-24
NEWDALE – Members of the Eastern Idaho Regional Solid Waste District gathered at 611 East Long Hollow Road in Newdale on Wednesday afternoon to break ground on a new 970-acre landfill.
The landfill is a partnership between Madison, Fremont, Teton and Clark counties and will serve about 80,000 people. The project is divided into four cells. The initial cell of 50 acres is expected to last 50 years.
Madison County Commissioner Todd Smith tells EastIdahoNews.com the district acquired this space in a land swap with the Idaho Department of Lands about two years ago.
The total cost of the project is $30 million. The Department of Environmental Quality provided an initial $3 million grant. The rest of it is being funded by a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s a 40-year loan with a 2.75% interest rate.
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Idaho State Forestry Contest
Posted May 9, 2024
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Happening now! The contest is for students in grades 5 through 12 to compete for scholarships and cash prizes in basic forestry and resource management. The contest is typically held the second Thursday in May and is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and hosted by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at Farragut State Park in North Idaho.
Idaho Burn Permits
Posted May 6, 2024
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Idaho Burn Permits are required annually between May 10 and October 20. Obtaining a burn permit ensures your burn is in compliance with Idaho law (Idaho Code 38-115).
Get your burn permit: https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/
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