Weekly Fire Update
IDL has one major fire on land under its protection responsibility. The Flat Fire is located about one mile northeast of Pioneerville in Boise County. The fire started August 5 after a thunderstorm went through the area. The wildfire is burning on private and U.S. Forest Service lands, and is approximately 3,732 acres and 53% contained. The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 6 is now managing the fire with 431 fire personnel on scene.
As of Monday, August 19, 2024, IDL has spent a total of approximately $29.7 million on fire suppression activities. Approximately $2.6 million of that is reimbursable to IDL for assisting other agencies on their fires, leaving a total estimated net obligation to the General Fund of $27 million so far this year.
 As of Monday, August 19
One-time Bonuses to Employees Who Participate In Fire
This past legislative session, thanks to the Governor, IDL was successful in securing one million dollars to provide one-time bonuses to our employees who participate in fire. In accordance with the Legislature’s approval to provide bonuses in FY25 for Department firefighting personnel (both fire and non-fire staff), the executive team has developed a plan to distribute these funds as shown in the matrix below.
We recently received notification from the Division of Human Resources and the Division of Financial Management that our plan was approved. The size and scope of this effort is unprecedented for an Idaho agency and has been months of work in progress as we work towards implementation.
I am thrilled that we are able to provide bonuses to over 300 IDL employees! We expect that the bonuses will be paid in the coming weeks. A special thank you goes out to Michele Andersen, Craig Foss, Rachelle Vance and Jenny Willis for the heavy lift they took on to make this happen.
Fire Bonus Matrix
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Bonus Amount
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Targeted Staff
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$5,000
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Permanent Lands Resource Forement
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$3,000
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Permanent Fire Wardens, Assistant Fire Wardens, Fire Cache Storekeepers, Fire Dispatchers
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$2,000
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Permanent red carded staff
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$2,000
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Returning seasonal firefighters
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Idaho Department of Lands Auctions Five Payette Lake Lots for $6,013,000
IDL held a VAFO auction today for six cottage sites at Payette Lake. Only five lots sold at auction but brought in more than $6 million dollars which was $1,362,000 over the appraised value.
Of the properties sold, three had competitive bidding and two had only one bid. The competitive bidding resulted in a 29% overall increase above the appraised value.
Including today’s auction, 488 cottage sites have been sold, 161 lots at Payette Lake (134 leased and 27 unleased) and 329 lots at Priest Lake (304 leased and 25 unleased) for a total of $265,717,625 for the endowments. There are currently 13 remaining leased lots at Payette Lake and 30 remaining leased lots at Priest Lake.
Eight Priest Lake leased cottage sites are scheduled for auction on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Governor Visits the Gwen and Texas Fires
In effort to support the people who fell victim to the Gwen and Texas fires, Governor Little flew to the site August 15. The Governor was accompanied by Director Miller and Robbie Johnson.
The Governor received a birds eye view of the aftermath. The Gwen Fire burned close to 30,000 acres destroying 38 homes and 122 outbuildings. The Blackhawk landed in Lapwai, giving the governor the opportunity to address the community.
The Governor said he was grateful that no lives were lost in these fires despite the significant damage they left behind.
In addition to thanking the responding fire agencies, he specifically pointed out the work of local farmers that he saw firsthand on his tour on Thursday.
 Fire Warden Kevin Chaffee talks to the Governor Little about what they are viewing on the helicopter tour of the Gwen Fire - photo by Dustin Miller
 News Conference in Lapwai - photo by Robbie Johnson
News Conference to Introduce 10 Priorities to Reduce Impacts of Wildfire
Idaho Department of Lands assisted Governor Little with a news conference today to introduce his new report that recommends the 10 priorities to reduce the impacts of wildfire in Idaho.
IDL participated in the Governor’s wildfire roundtable in 2023 that pulled together industry leaders to discuss liability reform for utilities and insurers, wildfire mitigation strategies, and statewide communication efforts. Four workgroups were created to tackle specific issues. Director Miller was a co-chair of one of the workgroups and IDL staff played a role in many of the other committees.
The Director had the opportunity to speak this morning where he focused his remarks on how this report will continue to help us adapt to a changing Idaho. He addressed the importance of reducing the impacts of wildfire through continued fuel reduction efforts, increasing our capacity to tackle fires through partnerships, and the importance of utilizing new technology to help us fight wildfires more efficiently.
IDL's Teakean Crew and engines from Northern Idaho were prepositioned in Boise while awaiting their next assignment, so they were able to be attend to support the Governor. The Director greatly appreciates the hard work of our firefighters and the professionalism they display. The Governor gave our crews kudos for their work on the many fires that the public never hears about because of their efforts to suppress them quickly and safely.
 photo by Robbie Johnson
 photo by Robbie Johnson
Senator Risch Staff Field Visits
Senator Mike Risch’s D.C. staff recently traveled to Idaho and accompanied their State Natural Resources Director to the field along with IDL staff and representatives from the US Forest Service. Field visits included a tour of two Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) timber sales located northwest of McCall. This initiative, which leverages federal-state partnerships, is focused on increasing the pace and scale of active forest management and restoration on federal lands while benefiting local economies. By witnessing these operations firsthand, the staff gained valuable insights into the practical applications and impacts of these programs on Idaho's federal forests.
In addition to the GNA timber sales visit, the Senator’s staff also toured the ICP for the Middlefork Complex in Garden Valley, as well as the Flat Fire area near Pioneerville. This field visit provided a closer look at the Forest Service’s and IDL’s ongoing wildfire suppression activities in the area. Engaging directly with the Idaho Department of Lands and the Forest Service allowed the staff to better understand the challenges and successes that stem from a very active fire season and reinforced the importance of coordinated efforts between federal and state agencies when suppressing wildfires in Idaho.
 GNA timber sale visit with Sen. Risch's staff - photo by Dustin Miller
Protecting Existing IDL Easement Rights
The Packers 1 and Vandals Won acquisitions (32,160 acres and 18,050 acres, respectively) not only means more timberland for the endowments, but it also means better access for management of other endowment land as well as additional access for the public. But it can't just be taken for granted. A great deal of work went into verifying the 776 miles of benefitting road easements IDL has legally access endowment lands, the 179 miles of encumbering road easements for going through endowment lands and verifying what conservation easements are legally in place.
It took a strong team two years to get through not only the 955 miles of easements, but then add on the title commitments, acquisition files, land surveys, and records searches with multiple county courthouses. These efforts resulted in substantial improvements to our land management systems for those properties.
IDL's efforts were led by Right-of-Way (ROW) staff and while they did much of the heavy lifting. The project could not have been completed without GIS who ensured all instruments were available in Lands Records, and for Renee Bettis the ROW TRSs for their support and dedication to maintaining comprehensive and precise land records.
The dedication and collaboration of all involved have greatly contributed to its success, laying a strong foundation for future endowment management initiatives.
Fire Prevention Message at the Boundary County Fair
Fire staff from Kootenai Valley took center stage at the Boundary County Fair to spread crucial information about wildfire prevention and the importance of creating defensible space around homes and properties. With wildfires becoming an increasingly pressing concern in the region, their presence at the fair was both timely and essential.
IDL's booth was a hub of activity, attracting fairgoers of all ages with informative brochures and one-on-one consultations. Staff and volunteers engaged with more than 500 members of the community, offering personalized advice on how to reduce wildfire risks. They demonstrated how simple actions, such as clearing brush, pruning trees, and maintaining a safe distance between vegetation and structures, can significantly enhance a property's defense against wildfires.
In addition to educating the public, the IDL team also provided resources for community members to take home, including checklists for fire-resistant landscaping and a sign up sheet to have local fire professionals conduct individual home and property assessments designed to help homeowners increase their resilience to wildfire. Forty people signed up for the assessments. These tools are designed to empower residents to take proactive steps in safeguarding their properties long after the fair is over.
The event was a success, with hundreds of community members leaving the fair better informed and motivated to take action. IDL's presence at the Boundary County Fair served as a crucial reminder that wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility, and that by working together, we can protect our homes, our properties, and our beautiful Idaho landscape from the threat of wildfires.
Photos by Gus Jackson, KV Assistant Warden
 40 people signed up to have assessments of their home and property
 Chase Chowning and Marta Matthews man the booth
Prevention Efforts at the Bonner County Fair
This week IDL Firefighters and Prevention Specialists from Pend Oreille Lake Forest Protective District (FPD), the Priest Lake FPD and the U.S. Forest Service teamed up at the Bonner County Fair.
At the booth the Bonner County Co-op promoted the 80th birthday of Smokey by selling T-shirts which helped raise money for future prevention activities, and they provided prevention handouts. Smokey also made a surprise visit this week.
The big hit of the week involved hands on experience for kids with a hose drill competition using a real IDL wildland fire engine. The popularity of the event rose with the temperatures, and the older kids discovered they could spray each other at the end of their competition. It was a great way to get out the prevention message and have some fun in the hot weather.
IDL is stepping up its game with fire prevention. This is the first time back at the fair since 2019 and the pandemic and its reemergence of at the Bonner County fair was well received.
Human-caused fires continue to be a problem throughout Idaho, and prevention efforts are known to increase the public’s awareness especially during critical times of the year. Four highway reader boards with prevention messages have been placed in strategic locations within Bonner and Boundary counties
 photo by Brian Evans
 from left to right, Ryan Bantly Pend Oreille Lake FPD firefighter, Luke Sater Pend Oreille Lake FPD fire fighter & fire prevention liason -photo by Brian Hicks
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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