IDL Lends a Helping Hand to ISDA for Quagga Mussel Treatment
Quagga mussels are notorious for their rapid spread and ability to clog pipes critical for drinking water, energy production, agriculture, recreation, and other essential uses. Established infestations can severely impact fish populations and wildlife habitats, causing infrastructure damage that incurs hundreds of millions of dollars in both direct and indirect costs.
One area in need of treatment this fall is downstream from Shoshone Falls, requiring specialized equipment to be transported via helicopter. When ISDA reached out for assistance, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) stepped in to help and provide a lift.
Despite the ongoing fire season, which seems to not want to end, IDL's fire staff swiftly coordinated logistics to allocate our Type 1 helicopter for the quagga mussel project before it went off contract on Tuesday. Once released from the Valley Fire on Sunday, the helicopter was quickly reassigned to this mission in Twin Falls. The IDL team embraced the unique challenge, conducting extensive mission preparation in a compressed timeframe for what they dubbed “Operation Boats and Totes.” IDL was proud to assist with this all-hazards mission. An Emergency Disaster Declaration allowed IDL to support ISDA with sling-load missions to transport two boats and empty industrial totes to an island at the base of Shoshone Falls where there is no direct boat access. All-Hazards missions such as “Operation Boats and Totes” highlight the importance of state agency staff being willing and able to lend a helping hand while gaining valuable training opportunities, and conversations will continue about possibilities for seamlessly carrying out these essential types of missions in the future.
This mission was indeed distinctive, and it required the collaboration of a skilled team to execute it safely and professionally. Special thanks to Corrie Ivey and Julia Lauch for their exceptional coordination, Randy Gaulrapp (Helicopter Manager - a retired USFS Panhandle Helitack Superintendent currently employed by Hillman County, Colorado), and to our dedicated IDL helicopter crew members, Nate Clements, Blaine Fredrickson, and Hunter Lockhart) who worked diligently on the ground.
KIVI gave our team some great coverage! https://www.kivitv.com/twin-falls/using-a-helicopter-to-sling-boats-over-shoshone-falls-isda-gets-set-for-quagga-eradication
photos by Corrie Ivey
  
IDL Releases the Cause of the Valley Fire
IDL doesn't usually send out a news release with the cause of specific wildfire, unless it is an unusual situation. In this situation, Idaho Power had been given a copy of the investigation report with the cause being a downed power line. They wanted to get ahead of any rumors and on Monday, October 14, they sent out a news release acknowledging the conclusions of the report.
Idaho Power let IDL know they were sending out the release so we were able to prepare a response for the media. Within minutes of the Idaho Power release going out, media began emailing and calling.
IDL sent out a release with a link to the investigation report the media was requesting. The media cycle on this was only about two days.
IDL Warns the Public the Wildfire Season Isn't Over
IDL sent out a news release on October 7 reminding people to do their part to prevent wildfires.
"Even as temperatures begin to cool slightly, the lack of moisture and the abundance of dry fuels keep the wildfire risk dangerously high," said Josh Harvey, IDL Fire Bureau Chief. "We need everyone to do their part in preventing wildfires as we move into the fall."
As the fire season draws to a close, many of IDL’s seasonal firefighting personnel have completed their service for the year. With fewer firefighters on hand, it is crucial that the public helps to prevent wildfires by staying aware of fire restrictions, taking precautions with outdoor burning, and being diligent in extinguishing campfires completely.
"We rely heavily on seasonal firefighters during the peak of fire season, but in the fall, we have fewer resources available to combat wildfires," Harvey explained. "This makes prevention efforts from the public even more important."
IDL Extends Closed Fire Season
IDL has announced the extension of the closed fire season, requiring burn permits statewide beyond the original end date of October 20, 2024. This decision comes in response to unseasonably warm, dry weather and increasingly hazardous fuel conditions, which continue to elevate the risk of wildfires.
Typically, the closed fire season runs from May 10 to October 20 each year, during which burn permits are required for any open burning outside of city limits. However, due to the ongoing high fire danger and a decrease in firefighting resources as seasonal crews wrap up, burn permits will remain mandatory until further notice.
“Conditions across Idaho remain dry and volatile, and our firefighting resources are limited this fall,” said Craig Foss, IDL State Forester. “We are asking the public to remain vigilant and ensure all fires, including campfires and debris burning, are fully extinguished. The extended closed fire season is critical to minimizing the potential for human-caused wildfires.”
During this extended period, anyone conducting burn activities must obtain a free burn permit through the Idaho Department of Lands website www.burnpermits.idaho.gov.
Luma Guides for IDL
It can be difficult to remember all the steps in completing an expense report or for submitting or setting up PCard options. IDL has created easy to access guides for staff on our Sharepoint system.
The guides fall under the following categories:
- Fire Suppression Travel
- Non-Fire Travel
- Other Expense Reports
- PC Submit for Close
- PCard Set-up Options
These step-by-step instructions will make the process easier and help to ensure everything is submitted correctly.
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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