Readiness reviews demonstrate IDL is ready for 2024 wildfire season
IDL policy states that 50 percent of our forest protection districts have Wildfire Readiness Reviews, but we have gone above and beyond that requirement, conducting reviews of all districts both this year and last year. We are looking to confirm that districts can reach our Standards of Protection. The on-site visits finished Wednesday.
What are we looking for? Proper training, staffing plans, fire business/preseason agreements and contracts, and that equipment and engines are working properly. That there are enough shovels and Pulaskis. Confirming fire staff have red cards, basic training, and pack tests completed.
One of the final reviews was at Craig Mountain. Readiness Reviews include mock fire scenarios conducted by Fire Wardens. Crews were timed while deploying 600 feet of progressive hose lay. Driving engines, spraying water, demonstrating they can fill engines with water were among the skills fire staff must demonstrate. Fire staff practiced briefings, size ups, and tactical deployment. “All of the forest protection districts did really well,” said Jeremiah Miller, Central Zone Fire Manager. “The fire staff at Craig Mountain was glad to have Director Miller there to observe that we are ready. It means a lot for new and returning firefighters to be personally thanked by Director Miller for doing this hard work for the Idaho Department of Lands, and to know how important they are to the citizens of Idaho.”
During the readiness review, fire managers stressed the importance of preparedness, proficiency and professionalism as IDL wildland firefighters, but also crew cohesion and communication. The safety of our wildland firefighters is the top priority during fire season, which is why these readiness reviews are critical.
 
Endowment Timber Management
Of course we are experts at Endowment Timber Management. We want to make sure the public also understands what IDL timber management does for Idaho. IDL manages about one million acres of endowment timberland, which makes up about 6% of forests in Idaho, at the same time contributing approximately 30% of the timber harvested in the state.
Helping the public understand that IDL can handle that output with Idaho Forever Forests in mind gains support and trust.
Current public outreach continues with the new monthly Endowment Timber Update. This puts the impressive numbers of truckloads and timber value in a format that the public can track and support. “While the trees grow” is another effort to educate the public. The time between planting and harvest are decades worth of recreation opportunities, leasing protentional and beauty.
“While the trees grow” extends to IDL’s Fire Program. While trees of all ages grow strong to generate funds for Idaho, they are also standing tall and healthy, which reduces wildfire risks to IDL timberlands and surrounding landscapes.
We are working with our partners in this outreach, and loggers are helping by getting amazing photos of current IDL timber harvests.
The photo below is of a logging truck working IDL's Dry Sky Ton Sale, with Tom Mahon Logging and Ryan Hanson Trucking. It shows the beauty that logging brings to sustainable forestry thanks to IDL and State Board of Land Commissioners management.
Idaho Cattle Association Summer Meeting
This week Director Miller attended the annual summer meeting of the Idaho Cattle Association in Lewiston. The Director participated on a panel where he explained the endowment mission and the things we do on our rangeland assets to generate income for our endowment beneficiaries. He also discussed with the group the importance of livestock grazing on endowment lands and actions that occurred during the legislative session related to our grazing lease program. The Director also expressed the importance of the Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and having ranchers help us by providing rapid initial attack on wildfires on Idaho’s rangelands.
IDL leases nearly 1.8 million acres of endowment rangeland for livestock grazing, and authorizes nearly 260,000 AUMs on those acres. The IDL grazing program provides good income for our endowment beneficiaries.
IDL fire information outreach
As part of our goal to provide exemplary service to external and internal customers we are going further to make sure the public knows where to go for information during the 2024 Wildfire Season.
IDL has made great progress educating the public about IDL-specific fires and programs. It is also important to demonstrate that we are Idaho’s wildfire leaders and are here to help and educate statewide.
Southern Idaho continues to have the most fire activity in the state. This week IDL generated two television news stories that put IDL Fire front and center in the Treasure Valley, as well as new social media content that will be built out to include IDL firefighters and display the integrity of IDL’s fire program, staff, and the opportunities working at IDL provides to young Idahoans.
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Webpage
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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