Weekly Fire Update
There is currently one major fire on IDL Protection. The 1,565 acre Texas Fire is within the Ponderosa Forest Protective District and is being managed by the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8. More information can be found below.
As of Monday, July 15, 2024, IDL has spent a total of approximately $14.03 million on fire suppression activities. Approximately $655,000 of that is reimbursable to IDL for assisting other agencies on their fires, leaving a total estimated net obligation to the General Fund of $13.37 million so far this year.
 As of Monday, July 22
Texas Fire
The Texas Fire is currently 1,565 acres and is located east of Kendrick, Idaho. It is currently 60% contained with 198 personnel working the fire. The fire is being managed by the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8
Four homes and six outbuildings have been confirmed lost. All evacuations have been lifted.
Sunday, crews completed initial mop-up for most of the fire area, gridding 100 feet into the black from the fireline, to search for and extinguish lingering heat. Firefighters assigned to the eastern spot completed hose lays three-quarters of the way around the perimeter, with engines working in areas where hose cannot be laid. A snag fell down creating visible smoke from the interior of the eastern spot; crews quickly responded and cooled the area with water. While mop-up operations continue, interior smoke may still be visible from time to time.
Today, firefighters will reinforce fireline and address areas of smoke and heat as needed. Crews continue to remove brushy fuels and install additional hose lays to extinguish remaining heat where possible.
Billy Creek Fire
IDL had its first Complex Incident Management Team Fire with the Billy Creek Fire, with a cost of more than $3.7 million. The Billy Creek Fire was about 3,185 acres was within 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 last Friday.
The fire started July 3 and spread quickly through brush and grass. It is currently under investigation.
Fortunately there were no closures or evacuations.
Fire Restrictions Currently in Place
Fire Restrictions are going into place as temperatures continue to rise. The state is divided into eight Fire Restriction Areas with zones established within. Each area corresponds with the fire dispatch area boundaries. Interagency coordination between fire management agencies with the areas are used to initiate restrictions. This helps provide consistency among the land management partners, while defining the restriction boundaries so they are easily distinguishable to the public.
The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during unusually high fire danger and/or burning conditions, and when other prevention efforts have been exhausted.
The following areas are in Stage 1 fire restrictions that include all lands managed by or are under the fire protection of Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, or other tribal or federal agencies:
Central Idaho - all Central Idaho Zones
Cassia Zone - within the boundary of Sawtooth National Forest
North Sawtooth Zone - within the boundary of Sawtooth National Forest
Grangeville Fire Restriction Area - all Grangeville Zones.
More information on Fire Restrictions as well as FAQs regarding Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions may be found on IDLs Fire Restriction Finder Website.
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.
This has been an emotional time 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
Supporting IDL Employees
Director Miller and the IDL Fire Bureau want to make sure those employees affected by the plane crash and tragic fatality of Juliana Turchette have the support they need.
There have been multiple Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) sessions offered to those affected in both Helena and Coeur d’Alene. According to the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, “Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents...”
At IDL in Coeur d’Alene, a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) occurred last week. A CISD is a specific, small group, supportive crisis-focused discussion of the traumatic event. This was coupled with Peer Support. Peer Support involves specialty-trained employees who are there to listen, provide support, and, if needed, refer to a professional level of clinical care.
There will be additional follow up opportunities provided in the coming weeks and months as well.
Supporting Juliana's Family
IDL has provided support to the family of Juliana Turchette and our contractor as well. IDL Central Zone Fire Manager Jeremiah Miller and Deputy Chief Julia Lauch are in Montana to provide that support and to assist as they are able. Special efforts were made to honor Juliana and to explain the traditions. This is the information provided to the family:
Honoring Juliana
When an employee dies in the line of duty, there are various services to honor the fallen. Juliana was an incredible aviator and person. She was an accomplished pilot and lost her life responding to the Horse Gulch Fire July 10th on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. She was living her dream job—flying a Fire Boss, a water-scooping aircraft. Ultimately, she sacrificed her life to protect firefighters.
An Honor Watch: This is when firefighters accompany Juliana at the funeral home. Members of the firefighting and emergency response communities have stayed at the funeral home 24 hours a day, so she is never alone. Traditionally, the Honor Watch stays at the funeral home until she has left.
Cordon of Honor: Juliana and her family are respected with a Cordon of Honor, a silent and stationary ceremonial lineup. Guards of Honor stand in attention on both sides of Skyway Drive in front of the Helena airport as Juliana’s family arrives from Brazil. The Guards of Honor come from State, Federal, County, City, and Volunteer firefighting and emergency response communities. They stand in Honor as the family passes.
Last Call: Fire firefighters communicate mission and operational information over the radio, this includes pilots. When a member of the fire community dies in the line of duty, they receive a Last Call. This is when the radio dispatcher calls for Juliana on the radio. There will be silence. Then the radio dispatcher will acknowledge that is her Last Call to duty.
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 July 8. Trusses arrived the first part of this week. So far construction is about a week ahead of schedule.
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.
 
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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