Current News Coverage
Fire district levies make sense
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-15-25
Good for the Republican Women — they aren’t scared of fire. (“Vote no on fire district levies”, Daily Bee, May 20) They advocate preparation, which is certainly necessary (idahofirewise.org) when you live in fire country. But they seem to endorse letting fires burn and waiting for weather conditions to change, instead of hiring more people to fight the fires.
That doesn’t make sense to me. When potential disaster is at my door, I would rather be prepared by looking at my risk and my resources.
What are the risks? North Idaho does face increasing risk from wildfire. (“The growing intensity, size and frequency of wildfires highlight the need to adapt our response strategies;” Idaho Department of Lands, Annual Report 2024; The average annual temperatures in northern Idaho have increased by approximately 1.5°F to 2.0°F since the early 1990s, NOAA, Western Regional Climate Center).
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Smokey Bear visits Priest Lake students
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-14-25
Smokey Bear and his helpers from the Idaho Dept of Lands and the Priest Lake Ranger Station visited Priest Lake Elementary today for their annual visit and campfire safety message. "The students really pay attention and know how important it is to be careful with fire," said Helper Pam Aunan. "They know the rules and I would bet none of them would ever leave their campfire before it's out."
Smokey Bear got a chance to visit Priest Lake Elementary students earlier this month.
During the school visit, Smokey was accompanied by helpers from the Priest Lake U.S. Forest Service Ranger District and the Priest Lake Idaho Department of Lands. These helpers shared Smokey's messages about fire prevention and staying safe with fire.
Pam Aunan, one of the helpers, emphasized that Smokey's messages and fire safety advice apply to everyone, and she encouraged all to have a safe, fire-free summer.
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Airport lounge grand opening ceremony set for Thursday evening
Idaho County Free Press, 5-14-25
GRANGEVILLE — Completed earlier this spring, the Idaho County Airport pilots’ lounge will receive a formal introduction to the public this week.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the lounge will be held Thursday, May 15, 5:30-7 p.m. at the facility, 228 Airport Lane. Sponsored by the Grangeville Chamber of Commerce, the event will include short presentations, and refreshments.
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“Frequent users are Idaho Department of Lands and the Forest Service for fire operations, which can be quite a lot,” Cook said, and another significant user is Life Flight for frequent medical transfers to regional hospitals. UPS conducts daily flights in and out of the airport — which has a 5,100-foot-long primary runway — and a year-round user is Flying B Ranch to service its visiting hunting and fishing guests. For general aviation, 28 aircraft are based out of the facility, which on its west end alone has 34 hangar lots with 23 of these leased.
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Trail's restoration needed for community, ecosystem (opinion)
Bonner County Daily Bee, 5-13-25
Sand Lake is a popular fishing and huckleberry picking destination and the trail from the end of Forest Service Road 2670 has destroyed through a logging operation. Your help is needed to encourage the loggers who will be up there again within a week or two to clear it up again for the enjoyment of the public.
I recently hiked up to the headwaters of a creek nearby and was in awe of the beauty of an old cedar grove. A previous logging operation had left quite a few of the larger trees so that the area still had the feel of an old growth glade, full with clusters of vibrantly white and pink trilliums alongside patches of snow. My Merlin bird app identified eight different bird species, including the Western Tanager, two of whom came checking out the call recordings — bright yellow with the male having a brilliantly red head.
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The logging operation was an Idaho Department of Lands endowment project, which raises funds for Idaho schools. Some 30 years ago the same area was logged, and the then-IDL forester left many of the older trees along the access road as well as along the trail so that it didn’t take long for the forest to regrow. The smaller cedar grove located just as the trail dips into Sand Lake recovered beautifully.
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Statewide burn permit requirement period in Idaho begins
KREM2, 5-13-25
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Idaho residents seeking to conduct a controlled burn will need a permit now through Oct. 20.
Residents can obtain a free permit through the Idaho Department of Lands at burnpermits.idaho.gov. Some cities and jurisdictions have alternative or additional requirements; contact your municipality before starting a burn.
An IDL permit is required for burns in all areas of the state outside of city limits. Campfires do not need to be permitted. Sandpoint area residents with questions can contact the local IDL office at 208-263-5104.
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Residents opposed to Post Falls marina expansion project
KHQ, 5-12-25
POST FALLS, Idaho - Some neighbors that reside near Marina 33 continue to voice concerns after an expansion project at the marina was approved by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
The project was approved in February and is led by Stancraft Companies. The goal of the project is to expand the existing marina at the former Red Lion Templin's Hotel.
"Our attorney filed with the judge in the court system. And so, it's against IDL's decision... to stop the permit of Stancraft," Sheri Scofield, a neighbor opposed to the project, said.
Sheri and Scott Scofield live across the river from Marina 33 and said they filed their appeal in court on May 5.
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Burn Permits Required Starting Today in Idaho
KOZE, 5-10-25
If you plan to burn anything outside in Idaho, you’ll probably need a permit. Starting today, if you live outside of city limits, you must get permission. That does not mean it’s legal everywhere inside city limits though.
Idaho’s annual open burning season ended Friday and re-opens in late October. The dry season is here, and the Idaho Department of Lands is hoping to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires.
If you want to burn anything for any reason, including yard waste and crop residue, you can apply for a permit at burnpermits.idaho.gov. If approved, you’ll get the permit immediately, and you must keep it on you while burning. It’s good for 10 days. You can also get one at the local Idaho Department of Lands office.
If the website can’t issue you a permit, it will tell you where to go to get what you need.
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More Than 200 Students Compete in 42nd Annual Idaho State Forestry Contest
DailyFly, 5-9-25
ATHOL, ID – More than 200 students from across the state gathered at Farragut State Park on May 8 to participate in the 42nd annual Idaho State Forestry Contest, hosted by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in partnership with the Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District (BSWCD).
A total of 220 students competed in a series of forestry-related challenges designed to test their skills in areas such as tree and plant identification, log scaling, compass and pacing, soil and water quality, and forestry tool identification. The event offers a hands-on educational experience that highlights real-world applications in forestry, conservation, and natural resource management.
“This contest brings together education, career exploration, and stewardship,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “It would not be possible without the close collaboration with the Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District and the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers and donors.”
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Burn permits required in Idaho starting tomorrow through October 20th
KBOI2, 5-9-25
Boise, ID (CBS2) — Starting May 10, residents in Idaho will need to obtain burn permits for debris burning, which will be required until October 20th. These permits can be acquired at local Idaho Department of Lands offices.
Officials urge residents to check with their local Sheriff's Office or Fire Department, as some counties have burn bans in effect. For guidance on safe burning practices, residents can visit the Idaho Department of Lands website at http://burnpermits.idaho.gov/.
In addition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho is seeking public cooperation to prevent human-caused fires. BLM Idaho Acting State Director June Shoemaker has signed the 2025 Fire Prevention Order. This order prohibits certain fire-related activities on BLM-managed public lands from May 10 through October 20, 2025.
The Fire Prevention Order makes it illegal to "possess or use fireworks, exploding targets, steel component ammunition, tracer ammunition, shooting at steel or ferrous material targets, or burn explosive materials" on BLM-managed public lands in Idaho.
Former senator remembered as ‘fierce’ advocate for education
Idaho Education News, 5-7-25
Friends and colleagues of Carl Crabtree this week remembered the former state senator as a “fierce” advocate for education, who championed investments in literacy and represented the needs of local school leaders at the Statehouse.
Crabtree died Tuesday after a recent battle with brain cancer, according to state superintendent Debbie Critchfield. Crabtree worked in Critchfield’s office after serving in the Legislature for six years.
A rancher from Grangeville, Crabtree managed Idaho County’s 4-H program for 27 years, and he was the county’s weed management supervisor for 31 years. He also served as an extension agent for the University of Idaho and had tenures leading the Idaho Cattle Association and Idaho Beef Council.
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Tips from Smokey Bear
Posted May 16, 2025
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