Current News Coverage
Idaho sees an 'above average' wildfire season for 2024
Coeur d'Alene Press, 9-26-24
The state of Idaho has seen an “above average” wildfire season in terms of the number of wildfires and total acres burned, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
As of Tuesday, there have been 301 wildfires across the state — burning a total of 49,128 acres, according to IDL’s Chief of Fire Management Josh Harvey. The 22-year average for the number of wildfires in Idaho is 271.
This wildfire season saw “almost double the 20-year average in terms of acres burned,” said Harvey. This especially active fire season can be largely attributed to hot, dry conditions early in the year that left wildlands primed for wildfire.
Of the 301 fires statewide, 128 were human-caused, according to Harvey. An additional 56 fires are suspected of being human-caused, and 117 are attributed to natural causes such as lightning.
The North Idaho region, extending from Boundary County down to the St. Maries area, recorded less wildfires compared to the rest of the state, with 99 total fires to date.
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Our local wildlife habitats aren’t promised — we need to protect them
The Sandpoint Reader, 9-25-24
Heading home from the gorgeous views at Lunch Peak a few weeks ago, with a full bucket of huckleberries that were bursting with juicy goodness, I couldn’t imagine the day could be any more perfect. But as I swung through the day-use area near the mouth of Trestle Creek, it did. My eyes caught the red glimmer of spawning kokanee salmon as they shimmied upstream against the current to find perfect spots to build their nests (called redds) and lay their eggs. What better way to top off a perfect Idaho day than see the start of the next generation of salmon?
I watched the fish rest in small pools and gain strength before bursting through the spots where the current was swift. It’s truly awe inspiring to witness their instinctual resolve to find the best place to spawn before they die. It’s the cycle of life before your very eyes. I encourage everyone to visit this special place in the fall, where you can easily witness this wonder.
But this experience — and this place — isn’t promised. Although Trestle Creek has a legacy in North Idaho, and deserves a place in our future, it faces a threat we know all too well: inappropriate development.
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New IDL building taking shape
St. Maries Gazette Record, 9-25-24
Crews have been making progress on the new Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) building as paving out front of the new administration building was conducted last week.
Paving equipment was seen at work Friday laying asphalt for the front parking area of the new IDL building and IDL St. Joe area manager said the paving gets them another step closer to being able to move in to the new building.
Crews have been working on the project for most of the spring and summer with the building starting to take shape.
The paving work, plus some additional interior work, should have staff in the new building possibly by the end of the year.
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State sells Gulch Island Cedar Sale
Clearwater Tribune, 9-25-24
The Idaho Department of Lands sold a timber sale on Monday, Sept. 16, at Kamiah. Gulch Island Cedar, located two miles northeast of Weippe, was sold to Clearwater Paper Corporation.
The estimated 1,925 MBF was sold for an average price of $740 per MBF for Cedar and $190 per MBF for Non-Cedar. Proceeds will benefit the Charitable Institutes and Penitentiary endowments.
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Priest Lake lot auction nets $11.4 million
Bonner County Daily Bee, 9-25-24
COOLIN — The auction of eight endowment lots at Priest Lake raised more than $11.4 million — more than $500,000 over the appraised value of the lots.
The Idaho Department of Lands sold the now-former endowment-owned lots at Priest Lake for deeded ownership during a public auction.
The public auction generated $11,404,720 which is $526,000 over the appraised value. Of the eight properties sold, only one had competitive bidding and seven had only one bid. The competitive bidding resulted in a 4.84% overall increase above the total appraised value of the properties.
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Idaho fire management: Evaluating the cost of wildfire season
KTVB, 9-24-24
"Around $50-55 million in fire suppression costs for the state of Idaho … We generally are looking at a $25-35 million fire season as normal."
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Idaho Business Review, 9-23-24
An auction on Sept. 21 brought in more than $11 million that will benefit the Public School Endowment Fund.
Eight endowment-owned lots in the Priest Lake area of northern Idaho sold at a public auction held by the Idaho Department of Lands, totaling $11.4 million, $526,000 more than the appraised value of the properties.
Seven of the properties sold without competitive bidding, and the one that had competitive bidding sold at 4.84% higher than its appraised value.
According to the department, each property has a home built on it. The land is held in trust by the IDL, but cabins and other improvements to the properties are owned by leaseholders.
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IDL Priest Lake lot auction raises over $11 million for public school endowment fund
KREM, 9-21-24
COEUR D'ALENE JUNCTION, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Lands held an auction in Coeur d'Alene for 8 Priest Lake lots of land worth millions of dollars on Saturday morning.
IDL says the lots were owned by the Public School Endowment beneficiary and the funds from the auction will go into Idaho public schools.
Paul Myers and his partner, Meg Roland, sought to buy one of the Priest Lake lots where Myers says he has leased a family cabin for decades.
"I've had that place for 25 years," said Myers. "Brought my children up there and everything."
The IDL Real Estate Bureau Chief, Roger Hall, says the millions of dollars raised through the sale of the lots will live in a "Land Bank" that can be used to buy other unpurchased land or go toward the endowment beneficiaries.
"Back in 2012, the Land Board made the decision to unify the estate on our cottage program," said Hall. "It's a great opportunity for both the cabin owners and for the students to buy pencils and books."
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IDL to auction 8 Priest Lake lots
Bonner County Daily Bee, 9-21-24
PRIEST LAKE — The Idaho Department of Lands is auctioning eight state endowment-owned lots on Priest Lake appraised at $10,878,720 at a public auction in Coeur d'Alene today.
The eight lots are all located in Coolin, with sites on Bull Trout, N. Mackinaw, Cape Horn, Cutthroat, N. Two Creeks, Camp Cudge, Indian Creek and Rosalia Bay roads.
The auction starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn.
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Posted September 25, 2024
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