Current News Coverage
Nearly 3 weeks later, Boise Foothills fire is fully contained. What’s the cost, damage?
Idaho Statesman, 10-24-24
The large-scale wildfire in the Boise Foothills that has burned for nearly three weeks is fully contained after it torched thousands of acres of crucial winter wildlife habitat and cost millions in suppression efforts.
The Valley Fire, which sparked about a mile east of Boise near Idaho 21 from a downed Idaho Power line on Oct. 4, was 100% contained Wednesday, fire officials said. That means barriers have been fully established around the fire’s perimeter to stop its spread, though crews may still be working on hot spots within the burned area.
The Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management and Boise Fire Department worked on the blaze, which threatened homes in the immediate hours after it started.
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Idaho board of land commissioners approves Arco Wind and Solar Project
Local News 8, 10-23-24
BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) - A new project approved by the Idaho board of land commissioners is gaining the attention of the Southeast Idaho community. The project, if developed, would become the first wind and solar farm on Idaho endowment land, located outside Idaho Falls.
The Arco Wind and Solar project was approved in a vote of 3 to 1 by the Idaho land board.
The lease of the land is set to last 49 years, in which time the energy company Pacificorp will develop 11,160 acres of state endowment land for around 10 to 12 wind turbines and 2,000-5,000 acres of solar generator equipment.
The land is currently leased for grazing purposes.
But according to Jason Laney of the Idaho Department of Lands, the new lease would provide more funding to endowment beneficiaries, like public schools.
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Costs racking up as Idaho continues to battle wildfires
KMVT, 10-21-24
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Idaho Department of Land’s monthly fire update for October shows that officials have dealt with 323 fires on endowment land so far this year, burning more than 49,000 acres.
Compared to 2023, there were 284 fires, making 2024 a significant fire year. The IDL said it is happening more frequently than in the past.
“We’re seeing these trends of significant fire years getting closer and closer to each other,” Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey said. “We generally would anticipate a significant fire year every four or five years and now we are seeing them every two to three years.”
Human-caused fires were again the highest, responsible for 201 this year, according to the IDL.
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IDL extends burning closure as wildfire risk persists
Capital Press, 10-21-24
The Idaho Department of Lands has extended its closed burning season in response to the unseasonably warm, dry weather.
The department requires permits for any open burning outside city limits from May 10 to Oct. 20.
IDL state forester Craig Foss extended the 2024 closure until further notice.
“Conditions across Idaho remain dry and volatile, and our firefighting resources are limited this fall,” he said. “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.”
Burn permits, which are free, are crucial in helping local fire agencies monitor controlled burns and ensure that fire danger remains manageable, according to the department. Each fire protection district assesses local fire danger to determine which types of burning, if any, are allowed.
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Legacy program keeps forestlands from being developed
Idaho Business Review, 10-21-24
A program meant to preserve working forest lands while creating new recreational opportunities in Idaho will do just that for 3,700 acres of private forest land in Boundary County.
Thanks to a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the USDA Forest Service, the Idaho Department of Lands’ Forest Legacy Program added six conservation easements in the Moyie River Corridor project.
Multiple tracts of land along Dawson Ridge, which are all privately owned and managed by either Molpus Woodlands Group or Manulife Investment Management, are included in the project.
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Solar farm on Idaho land
KBOI Radio, 10-21-24
Last week, the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners voted to approve its first ever lease for a solar farm on state land.
The Idaho Press reports the board voted 3-1, with Attorney General Raúl Labrador voting against and Gov. Brad Little absent, to approve a lease with PacifiCorp for a wind and solar farm outside Idaho Falls in Bingham County.
Idaho’s endowment land is managed to generate revenue for endowment beneficiaries, which includes public schools.
Currently, that land generates about 59 cents an acre with grazing leases, however, the project would bring in an estimated $200 to $300 per acre per the approved lease.
The lease is for 49 years and six months on 11,160 acres of state endowment land with an anticipated 10 to 12 wind turbines and around 2,000-5,000 acres of the initial solar footprint.
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UI Extension hosting tree ID, wreath workshops
Bonner County Daily Bee, 10-20-24
SANDPOINT — The University of Idaho Extension is hosting two workshops on Idaho's native trees next month. The workshops, set for Saturday, Nov. 23, will be held at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center.
The morning session, "Identifying Idaho's Native Trees," will help participants recognize common species found across the state's diverse geographical regions. Idaho's varying latitudes, altitudes, soils and precipitation patterns contribute to its extensive variety of native trees, making it one of the most botanically diverse states in the Rocky Mountains.
During the three-hour workshop, participants will study live samples and images of 15 native species, including lodgepole pine, western redcedar and paper birch. The session will cover each species' ecology, silviculture and historical significance.
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The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands and University of Idaho Extension Master Gardeners in Bonner County.
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Jerome to host ‘Capital for a Day’ on Oct. 24
DailyFly, 10-19-24
Boise, ID – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Jerome on Thursday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at El Sombrero Restaurant located at 143 W Main St and from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Jerome High School located at 104 S Tiger Dr.
Officials joining Governor Little include:
- Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke
- Idaho Supreme Court Justice Robyn Brody
- Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane
- Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt
- Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources Administrator Rich Stover
- Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne
- Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams
- Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron
- Department of Lands Deputy Director Bill Haagenson
- Idaho Transportation Department Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney
- Idaho Department of Water Resources Deputy Director Brian Patton
“It is an honor to bring ‘Capital for a Day’ to the wonderful community of Jerome,” Governor Little said. “This event will give the good people of Jerome County the opportunity to discuss what’s on their minds when it comes to good government and how we can better serve them.”
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Idaho approves first solar permit on state endowment land
KTVB, 10-19-24
The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve its first ever lease for a solar farm on state land.
The board voted 3-1, with Attorney General Raúl Labrador voting against and Gov. Brad Little absent, to approve a lease with PacifiCorp for a wind and solar farm outside Idaho Falls in Bingham County.
The land board comprises Little, Labrador, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, state Controller Brandon Woolf, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.
Revenue from the project could increase the state’s entire leasing portfolio by 25%, staff said Tuesday. Idaho’s endowment land is managed to generate revenue for endowment beneficiaries, which includes public schools.
“The headline with this lease is the revenue that we expect to generate once it is in the production phase and realizing maximum rents,” Leasing Section Manager Jason Laney told the board. “We expect between $1.5 million and $2 million annually in rent.”
Crews close in on full containment of Valley Fire outside Boise. Costs exceed $4 million
Idaho Statesman, 10-18-24
The Valley Fire, which burned through nearly 10,000 acres in the Boise Foothills, is now 90% contained while repair efforts start ramping up.
The Idaho Department of Lands said this week that Idaho Power was responsible for the fire, the result of an energized line from a downed power pole causing several ignitions.
The fire threatened Barber Valley homes during its first day after it was reported early Friday, Oct. 4, but it has not burned any structures, according to officials. It has remained at 9,904 acres for over a week, with the most active section remaining at the northeast of the fire, closest to the Robie Creek community, the Department of Lands said in a news release Friday.
Robie Creek was released from evacuation status as of Wednesday, Oct. 16.
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Prescribed Burn
Posted October 23, 2024
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Ponderosa fire crews, in partnership with the Palouse Land Trust have started burning handpiles along Highway 8 near Deary, Idaho. This important work helps reduce hazardous fuels and keep our community safer! 
You may see some smoke in the area over the next few days. Remember, open burning during the extended closed fire season requires a burn permit! Get yours at www.burnpermits.idaho.gov. 
 Please slow down and be cautious around our hardworking fire personnel an…
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Valley Fire Final Update
Posted October 21, 2024
Incident Activity: Repairs to containment line built by dozers and firefighters to prevent the Valley Fire from reaching homes and communities is complete. Heavy equipment operators and firefighters restored 33 miles of dozer and handline, returning it to a more natural state ready for regrowth. Erosion control was built into the repairs and seeding of those lines by fire crews is finished. The seed was carefully selected for …
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