Current News Coverage
Bench Lake wildfire in Idaho Sawtooths cost millions. Who will pay the bill?
Idaho Statesman, 8-9-24
When fire officials received reports of smoke and flames near a popular Idaho lodge on a mid-July afternoon, they sprang into action. Within days, nearly 200 people were working on the blaze in the Sawtooth recreation area, dubbed the Bench Lake Fire.
As crews dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of lake water from aircraft, carved out fire lines and arranged hoses to protect the historic Redfish Lake Lodge from the flames, investigators worked to determine the cause of the fire south of Stanley. There were no lightning storms that afternoon, and no infrastructure or machinery at the remote mountain lake that could have thrown a spark.
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Josh Harvey, fire management chief for the Department of Lands, called the issue troubling.
“Idaho faces a situation where I think we’re going to continue to see increased human-caused fires,” he told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. “I don’t think the general public quite understands the severity of the issue and being on the hook for a large fire that costs millions of dollars.”
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Rangeland fire protection associations in Idaho
Intermountain Farm and Ranch 8-8-24
This summer has been very hot, dry and windy in many parts of the West and wildfire season started early. Firefighters are battling major fires in several states. As of July 28 the National Interagency Fire Center stated that 89 large active wildfires were being managed nationwide and that more than 4.2 million acres have burned this year already, compared with only 1.1 million acres by this time last year.
The first line of fire defense in many rural areas in Idaho is the local Rangeland Fire Protection Association. These are groups of volunteers, mainly farmers and ranchers, who are trained and authorized to respond to fires in their region. These RFPAs are tasked with trying to help protect 9 million acres of Idaho lands.
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Being able to work together with agency people made a difference. “Before that, we didn’t know those folks and they didn’t know us. Now we all know each other and many of us have become good friends. We don’t hesitate to call each other if we have an issue, on either side. It’s a much better working relationship between the ranchers and the agencies, and here it’s mostly BLM. We don’t have much Forest Service. We’ve always had a good relationship with the Idaho Department of Lands,” says Faulkner.
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Property owner withdraws controversial Spirit Lake sandbar project
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-8-24
SPIRIT LAKE — Overwhelming community opposition to the potential removal of the sandbar at Spirit Lake's Brickel Creek has stopped the project in its tracks.
Property owner and longtime Spirit Lake summer resident Stephen Ford agreed to rescind his application Thursday evening following an Idaho Department of Public Lands public hearing, during which several people spoke out against the proposed project.
Ford said everyone was in favor of removing the silt bar when he spoke to his neighbors before starting the permit process. The application to the Idaho Department of Lands, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho Department of Water Resources was submitted in November 2022.
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First Responders meet and greet Monday
St Maries Gazette Record, 8-7-24
Community members will get a chance to meet their local first responders next week.
First responders that serve the St. Maries, Harrison and St. Joe area will host a meet and greet at 6 p.m., Monday, August 12 at the St. Maries Fire Protection District Station 2, located at 12629 O’Gara Road.
Members of the St. Maries Fire Protection District will be joined by the Idaho Department of Lands Firefighters and Harrison Community Ambulance EMS. This will give community members the chance to meet with their Fire Chiefs, volunteer firefighters and EMT personnel.
Organizers ask community members to bring a dessert to share.
For more information on the meet and greet, call the SMFPD at 208-245-5253.
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Orofino City Council adopts tentative budget
Clearwater Tribune, 8-7-24
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Deniece Osterberg expressed concern about all the star thistle in Wixson Heights. She owns 2/3 of an acre there, but since the Hospital Fire, it has become thicker. In the past, she and her husband were able to take care of it, but since his death and the increase in the thistle, it is too much for her. She has talked with Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association and Idaho Department of Lands and neither is in a position to help this year. She said she does not expect it to be free, but needs help. Goats are a possibility, if she can get permission from the council. She feels it is a county issue too.
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Bart Jones, Fire Chief, said they had been awarded a grant for $6,800 from Idaho Department of Lands. It was not quite as much as they wanted, but they can use it for equipment. They added to their fire personnel the night before the meeting and they have two more applicants. There is a lot of turn over, so they continue working on training the new people.
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Owners have until New Year's to remove boat garages
St. Maries Gazette Record, 8-7-24
Owners of boat garages at Chatcolet and Rocky Point Marinas say they are frustrated as the state of Idaho moves forward with its new marina project at Heyburn State Park.
The plan for new marinas at both locations in Heyburn State Park was announced earlier this year with a public open house hosted in Coeur d’Alene in April.
Since then, boat garage owners have reported they are unhappy with the way they are being treated in regards to what they are being told they have to do with their boat garages.
Many boat garage owners received letters from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation stating that as the project moves forward, the lessees will have to have their boat garages removed from the property by December 31, 2024.
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BOCC talks budget items
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-7-24
SANDPOINT — In a Tuesday meeting, the Bonner County commissioners approved a handful of action items and continued to discuss components of the 2025 budget ahead of an Aug. 26 hearing.
The commissioners began the meeting by unanimously approving two claim batches and a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Idaho Department of Lands, which will award a $354,000 grant to the county for fire hazard mitigation.
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BOCC sees light agenda
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-4-24
SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Board of Commissioners will cover a range of topics at its upcoming meeting Tuesday, from approving liquor licenses to discussing emergency management agreements.
As part of its consent agenda, the board will review minutes from its July 30 meeting, consider a catering permit for Popeye's Lounge in Priest River, and a liquor license for Clark Fork Chevron.
Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale will seek approval for fiscal year 2024 batch claims totaling over $940,000 for approval.
Emergency Management Director Nick Zahler will seek approval for a memorandum of understanding with the Idaho Department of Lands.
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Stage 1 fire restrictions implemented in Southwest Idaho
KIVI, 8-2-24
SOUTHWEST ADA COUNTY, Idaho — The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management are putting Stage 1 fire restrictions in place starting at 12:01 a.m. on August 5. This applies to state, endowment, private, and federal lands in the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone.
These restrictions aim to lower the risk of wildfires caused by human activities, such as campfires and smoking.
Stage 1 restrictions will cover the entire Boise National Forest. For BLM and Bureau of Reclamation lands, the restrictions will be applied to areas east of the Snake River, north and west of Highway 95 to the Little Weiser River, and north of the Little Weiser River up to the Payette National Forest boundary.
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IDL Wildfire News
Fires Near Craigmont Brought Under Control Following Lightning Storm
Big Country News, 8-6-24
CRAIGMONT – Recent lightning sparked numerous fires in the area, but the situation is now largely under control as of Tuesday, August 6th, 2024. Two of the larger fires are in the Salmon River breaks in the vicinity of the Eagle Creek drainage. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the First Creek Fire is about 80 acres, and the Fourth Creek Fire is about 100 acres. The Fisher Fire is about 25 acres, and the Blakeman Fire is about 0.1 acres in the Big Creek drainage between Orofino and Craigmont.
These four fires were initially staffed with personnel fighting them from the ground and the air. Crews were also attempting to locate any additional fires from the recent lightning. Another round of lightning hit the area while the original report was being written, potentially resulting in additional fires.
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Lightning strikes ignite multiple fires in Craigmont, containment underway
KLEW, 8-6-24
CRAIGMONT, ID- Yesterday a series of lightning stikes sparked several fires in the Craigmont area, but now have been brought under control.
Two of the larger fires broke out in the Salmon River breaks in the Eagle Creek drainage. They were estimated at 80 acres and 100 acres.
The Fourth Creek fire is expected to be contained by the end of the day. The First Creek fire is also expected to be contained and controlled by the end of the day.
The Fisher fire grew to 25 acres and is being mopped up and expected to be contained and controlled by the end of the day and the 0.1 acre Blakeman fire has already been put out.
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Lightning Storms Start Several Fires in Craig Mountain Forest
Big Country News, 8-5-24
CRAIGMONT – Recent lightning has sparked numerous fires in the area. Two of the larger fires are on the Salmon River breaks in the vicinity of the Eagle Creek drainage. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the First Creek Fire is about 80 acres and the Fourth Creek Fire is about 100 acres. The Fisher Fire is about 25 acres and the Blakeman Fire is about 0.1 acres in the Big Creek drainage between Orofino and Craigmont.
These four fires are staffed with personnel fighting the fires from the ground and the air. Additionally, crews are attempting to locate any additional fires from the recent lightning and another round of lighting is hitting the area at the time this report is being written, potentially resulting in additional fires. More information will be released when it becomes available, likely in the morning.
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Lightning strikes ignite multiple wildfires in North Idaho
KHQ, 8-5-24
CRAIGMOUNT, Idaho - Recent lightning strikes have ignited several wildfires in the Lewis County and Nez Perce County areas.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), lightning has reportedly started four fires in the region. The First Creek Fire is estimated at 80 acres, while the Fourth Creek Fire is approximately 100 acres. Other fires include the Fisher Fire, about 25 acres in size, and the Blakeman Fire, which covers 0.1 acres. These fires are located in the Big Creek drainage between Orofino and Craigmont.
IDL reports that personnel are actively combating the fires both from the ground and the air. Crews are also searching for any additional fires caused by the recent lightning. Another round of lightning is currently affecting the area, which could result in more fires.
The department expects to release more information about the fires tomorrow morning.
Firefighters battle blaze near Feather Creek in Latah County
Fox 28, 8-5-24
BOVILL, Idaho—Firefighters in Latah County are currently battling a blaze near Feather Creek.
According to the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, the fire has grown to between one and two acres. The Idaho Department of Lands has deployed multiple resources and reports that the fire is under control. No evacuation orders have been issued at this time.
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Number of Structures Destroyed in Gwen Fire Grows to 156, Including 38 Homes
Big Country News, 8-5-24
LEWISTON - After lightning moved through the area on Wednesday, July 24, multiple fires quickly spread in the region, mostly to the east of Lewiston. Winds quickly spread the flames the following day, and the fire continued to spread through the following weekend.
The Gwen Fire burned an estimated 28,820 acres, and was listed as 90% contained as of Saturday morning, August 3, 2024. A Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team gave their final update before transferring management of the fire to a local Type 4 incident commander at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Firefighting resources, including four engines, a water tender and a fireline medic, will remain to support the mop up and patrol operations.
As the damage continues to be surveyed, a recent update from officials says 156 structures had been lost to the fire. The total includes 38 residences along with various outbuildings and commercial buildings. The specific totals by type of structures lost have not yet been made available.
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Northern Idaho wildfire destroys 25 residences, 118 other structures
Idaho State Journal, 8-2-24
There were 25 residences along with 118 other structures destroyed in the Gwen Fire, according to updated information on the Idaho Fire Map.
The fire, which was judged 65% contained Thursday morning, roared through an area east of Lewiston last week. The fire threatened towns like Juliaetta and Myrtle, but the structures lost were in rural areas.
The fire’s area remained unchanged Thursday. It spread over 28,805 acres, according to the latest Idaho Department of Lands news release.
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Lightning Fires Brought Under Control
Posted August 1, 2024
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FIRE INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
August 6, 2:00 pm
Lightning Fires Brought Under Control
(Craigmont, ID) – The fires started by yesterday’s lightning storm have been largely brought under control. The two larger fires are in the Salmon River breaks in the Eagle Creek drainage. The Fourth Creek Fire is expected to be contained by the end of the day. The First Creek Fire is also expected to be contained and controlled by the end of the day.
The two other fires mentioned in yesterday’s report are at the upper end of the Big Canyon drainage. The Fisher Fire is being mopped up and expected to be contained and controlled by the end of the day. The Blakeman Fire is considered out. No additional fires were located on the Craig Mountain Forest Protective District from yesterday’s lightning storm.
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Find the latest IDL Fire updates on our website-based IDL Fire News Feed and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
CONTACT:
Jonathan Luhnow
208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov
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