IDL Contracted Pilot Killed in an Accident
Just after noon on Wednesday July 10, one of IDL’s contracted Fire boss 205s on loan to the USFS, crashed near Helena, MT while engaged in fire suppression efforts on the Horse Gulch fire. Tragically the pilot, Juliana Turchette, was killed.
It’s been an emotional 48 hours for IDL and others within the wildland fire community. Things like this happen in this dangerous profession, but sadly this one hits home.
The following information is from news articles:
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton identified Juliana Turchetti, 45, as a native of Brazil who was working in the U.S. on a visa. Dutton said Turchetti leaves behind a 17-year-old son and “numerous” family members in Brazil. Turchetti has been described as a "great pilot," and one of Brazil's first female ag pilots.
Turchetti was employed by Idaho-based Dauntless Air, a company operating firefighting aircraft for more than 25 years who has held state and federal contracts since 2009, according to the company’s website. The company was contracted to fly for the Idaho Department of Lands but was on loan to the U.S. Forest Service, a spokesperson for the Forest Service said.
Bill Lavender with Ag Air Update says, "Juliana started her aviation career flying in the corporate world in Brazil. Longing for a more fulfilling career, she started ag flying in a Brazilian Ipanema. From there, she progressed to ferrying Thrush and Air Tractor planes from the US to Brazil. She often wrote about her experiences on those flights. She flew ag in the US, and finally, she landed a seat in a firefighting AT-802F and from there to the Fire Boss."
In a joint news release with the Forest Service, Director Miller expressed the following:
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Juliana. The IDL firefighting and aviation community has been hit hard by this tragedy,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “Wildland firefighters, by air and by ground step up to do this dangerous work to protect our communities and lands. Juliana has given the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts are heavy and she will not be forgotten.”
The directors asks you to please keep Juliana's family, friends and colleagues in prayer, and remember to support and take care of each other.
Photo courtesy KMMS
Billy Creek Fire
IDL had its first Complex Incident Management Team Fire, with a current cost of more than $3.7 million. The Billy Creek Fire is about 3,185 acres and is in the Craig Mountain Forest Protective District, off the Snake River near the Idaho/Washington border.
The Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson, spent a week on the fire, handing it back to the IDL FPD this morning.
The fire is about 74% contained but there is minimal concern for additional fire growth. The Billy Creek Fire will be monitored for some time to come.
The fire started July 3 and spread quickly through brush and grass. It is currently under investigation.
Fortunately there were no closures or evacuations.
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 have wrapped up.
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
June 24-25 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.
St. Joe Construction
The main building at the St. Joe Supervisory Area is coming right along. Staff there are excited to soon have a much needed new facility.
The framing for the administrative building began Monday. Trusses will be arriving the first part of next week. So far construction is about a week ahead of schedule.
 photo courtesy Tony Brede
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.
Critical Incident Response Policy & Guide
Your safety is ALWAYS our top priority. We do everything we can to provide you with a safe work environment and provide tools to help ensure your safety while conducting the work we ask of you. However, our work for IDL places many of us in possibly dangerous situations and we have to be prepared to respond to a critical incident.
It's important for you to know that our Leadership Team has a plan and are prepared for response if necessary. The IDL Critical Incident Response Policy and Guide is a tool provided to leadership guiding them through the response actions needed if this policy is activated.
You can find this policy and guide and other emergency response resources on the Safety Program SharePoint location.
Bees!
Please prepare for a high activity year of bees, I have already received several workplace injury reports of bee stings. Reactions to a bee sting can vary, and even if you haven't previously had a bad reaction, you can suddenly develop an allergy. Even if you aren't allergic, you should be equipped with antihistamines, sting kill, chemical cold compacts, and epinephrine pens if prescribed. Being prepared can save a life!
If you are allergic, you may want to consider letting someone with you know so that they can respond if you aren't able to.
To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
- Stay calm.
- Remove the stinger.
- Wash the sting with soap and water.
- Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching, or swelling.
- If necessary, consider taking over-the-counter pain medication or antihistamines.
- Bee allergies can come on suddenly and antihistamines can make the difference.
Read more information about bee sting symptoms, reactions, and multiple bee stings at mayoclinic.org
Southwest Supervisory Area ATV & UTV Training
On June 27, Chad Taylor worked with new IDL employees for ATV and UTV hands on training. Taylor is detailed as a Southwest Area Land and Waterways Supervisor.
Several people participated in the training and are now better prepared to work out in the field.
Photos are by Ruth Luke.
    
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