Current News Coverage
Idaho Department of Lands Names A New State Forester
Pacific Northwest AG Network, 1-20-25
Governor Little introduces wildfire plans for the state
Local News 8, 1-21-25
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little held a press conference today to update Idahoans on the many ways Idaho is working to ensure our state does not experience tragic wildfire events like the ones raging in southern California this month.
“The devastating southern California fires are heartbreaking, and we continue to pray for the many families impacted. However, the extent of the damage is, unfortunately, not altogether surprising. The decisions of California’s elected leaders have made many places in the Golden State unsafe to live. The opposite is happening in Idaho. We are strategically and proactively reducing fire risk and ensuring Idahoans’ property is covered,” Governor Little said.
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Governor Little details Idaho’s wildfire prevention plans amid California tragedies
KVNU, 1-19-25
BOISE — Governor Brad Little held a press conference Friday to update Idahoans on the state’s proactive approach to wildfire prevention, as devastating blazes continue to engulf parts of Southern California.
“The devastating southern California fires are heartbreaking, and we continue to pray for the many families impacted,” Governor Little said. “However, the extent of the damage is, unfortunately, not altogether surprising. The decisions of California’s elected leaders have made many places in the Golden State unsafe to live. The opposite is happening in Idaho. We are strategically and proactively reducing fire risk and ensuring Idahoans’ property is covered.”
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Little also unveiled new proposals as part of his upcoming $100 million-plus budget for fire prevention and suppression, including:
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Early detection technologies, such as satellite and camera systems, to catch fire starts quickly.
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Enhanced aviation resources to speed up response times and bolster the state’s firefighting capabilities.
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Firefighter bonuses to attract and retain personnel.
- A plan to replenish the Fire Suppression Fund, which was drained during the severe 2024 wildfire season.
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Governor Little details Idaho’s wildfire prevention plans amid California tragedies
Cache Valley Daily.com, 1-19-25
BOISE — Governor Brad Little held a press conference Friday to update Idahoans on the state’s proactive approach to wildfire prevention, as devastating blazes continue to engulf parts of Southern California.
“The devastating southern California fires are heartbreaking, and we continue to pray for the many families impacted,” Governor Little said. “However, the extent of the damage is, unfortunately, not altogether surprising. The decisions of California’s elected leaders have made many places in the Golden State unsafe to live. The opposite is happening in Idaho. We are strategically and proactively reducing fire risk and ensuring Idahoans’ property is covered.”
Governor Little highlighted progress since the release of Idaho’s first-ever Wildfire Report last summer. The report included 10 actionable recommendations for improving wildfire prevention and response, many of which have already been implemented.
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Gov. Little Commits $100M to Wildfire Defense, Firefighter Support
KBOI2,, 1-17-25
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Fire season is a year-round challenge in Idaho, and Governor Brad Little is taking steps to improve the state’s wildfire response and support its firefighters.
Standing alongside state leaders and local fire officials at the Idaho Department of Lands on Friday, Little provided updates on his "KEEPING PROMISES" plan. The initiative includes significant investments aimed at protecting communities, natural resources, and those on the front lines of wildfire defense.
"In the old days, we had manned fire lookouts," Little said. "Now we're talking about cameras and even satellites so we can early detect because we know if we can give these professionals a shot at a fire real quick, then we don't have these big, expensive fires going on."
The plan proposes a $100 million investment in the state’s fire suppression account and includes bonuses to recruit and retain seasoned wildland firefighters.
"We're adding bonuses for wildland firefighters to recruit and retain our brave firefighters, and I want to thank them for their service," Little said. "What we do, particularly the state we're in, all of us were on multiple fires last year. We put out the fires the state was responsible for."
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Idaho Governor Brad Little announces statewide wildfire protection plans
KREM, 1-17-25
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Governor Brad Little said he is working to protect wildfire devastation across the state.
During Friday's press conference, Little suggested the state focus on fire mitigation technology, infrastructure protection and insurance rate stabilization.
Last summer, Little unveiled his wildfire report, which detailed ways to help improve wildfire prevention and response in Idaho.
Little also rolled out a budget built off recommendations from the report, where he is proposing over $100 million for future fire prevention and suppression, which includes the following, according to Little's office:
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Early detection
- New funds to explore and expand our ability to detect fires early. That may mean new cameras and satellite technology to pick up on fire starts so we can begin initial attack more quickly.
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Enhanced aviation program
- New funds to enhance the state’s aviation program with resources that will allow us to increase access to air assets statewide, leading to faster and more efficient initial attack.
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Firefighter bonuses
- New bonuses for wildland firefighters to ensure we can recruit, retain, and support our brave men and women who protect Idaho lives and property.
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Responsible funding to keep fires small
- A plan to replenish the Fire Suppression Fund that was depleted by the horrible fire season in 2024 and ongoing funding so Idaho is prepared to suppress fires quickly before they threaten lives, property, livestock, and our natural resources.
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Governor calls for $100 million in funding for wildfire prevention
KIVI, 1-17-25
BOISE, Idaho — When large parts of Central Idaho went up in flames last summer, we experienced the growing threat of wildfires and as Los Angeles County burns, we're reminded that those fires can happen at any time.
I'm your neighborhood reporter, Jessica Davis sharing what I learned as Governor Brad Little called for more funding and a new approach to fighting fires.
A key goal of the governor's plan is to make Idaho a safer place to live, especially when it comes to wildfires.
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After destructive wildfire season, Idaho leaders say the state is actively preparing for the future
Idaho Capital Sun, 1-17-25
s wildfires spread across homes in Southern California, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said the state of Idaho is working to prevent similar devastation from happening in Idaho.
At a press conference on Friday morning in Boise, Little and state agency leaders shared progress on how the state is implementing recommendations from the governor’s office’s inaugural Wildfire Report created in August, including financing and improving fire mitigation technology, helping utilities protect their infrastructure and supporting legislation to help protect Idaho homes and insurance rates.
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Idaho agencies take steps to improve fire suppression technology, energy infrastructure
For the 2026 fiscal year, Little is recommending $100 million for fire management in Idaho — $60 million of which would replenish the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund depleted during the 2024 fire season and $40 million which would cover the five-year average of fire suppression expenditures. The governor’s budget also includes funds to support wildland firefighter bonuses to help recruit workers.
Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said Idaho’s population — which hit 2 million people last year — is growing. That means the department is seeing more human caused fires than before, and there are more fires in the wild and urban interface, he said.
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Governor, department heads discuss progress on wildfire management initiatives
Big Country News, 1-17-25
BOISE - As a series of sweeping wildfires among the worst in California’s history continue to burn in the Los Angeles area, engulfing more than 40,000 acres and claiming at least 24 lives, Idaho Gov. Brad Little held a Friday news conference with the directors of relevant departments to discuss what is being done to combat such blazes in Idaho.
2024 saw nearly a million acres burned in the Gem State, the most in a dozen years, with the wildfire season costing nearly $46 million as of mid-September.
“Last summer, I unveiled the Wildfire Report,” the governor said, referencing a list of 10 recommendations for wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies and the work groups assembled to pursue them. “In my budget that we introduced last week, we’re asking for $100 million to both refill the funding we have for fighting fires, and $40 million ongoing.”
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Fire-wise and air-wise this winter
Posted January 24, 2025
 Using your wood stove? Stay fire-wise and air-aware this winter!
It's Fire Prevention Jen here  I love using my wood stove to keep those cold winter chills at bay, but here are a few reminders:
 Burn hotter fires—they produce less smoke and help keep our air cleaner.
Dispose of ashes safely! Use a metal container, store it outside, away from anything flammable, and never inside your home or garage.
Cleaner air, safer communities—it’s a win-win!  
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Teakean Type 2IA is Hiring
Posted January 21, 2025
TEAKEAN TYPE 2IA IS HIRING!
Join Idaho Department of Lands for the upcoming fire season. We are looking for highly motivated and physically fit individuals looking to become or currently are wildland firefighters to join our handcrew for the upcoming 2025 season. Limited Housing opportunities available. Applications go directly to the hiring manager. Positions Available:
*Assistant Crewboss - 8-month benefitted position, CRWB qualification required.
*Squad Boss - 8-month b…
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