Current News Coverage
Lands director: Low snowpack, low firefighter staffing as Idaho heads into summer
Idaho Press, 5-20-25
Only a tiny speck of snow remains atop the foothills above Eagle on Tuesday, May 20. Idaho’s once-healthy snowpack has melted at a faster rate than expected, according to state officials.
According to state officials, Idaho’s once-healthy snowpack has melted at a faster rate than expected, leaving the foothills above the Treasure Valley drier than normal on Tuesday, May 20. Southern Idaho has strong reservoir storage still, which may be good news for farmers, ranchers, fishers and boaters, according to Idaho Department of Water Resources hydrologist David Hoekema.
State firefighting staffing is low heading into the summer, and Idaho’s once-healthy snowpack is melting at a faster rate than expected, state officials said Tuesday.
“Preparedness is improving, but staffing remains a challenge for us,” Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller told the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners.
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Snake River Oil and Gas eyes new well in Fruitland
Independent-Enterprise, 5-21-25
FRUITLAND — How will Snake River Oil and Gas’ plans for a new well in Fruitland pan out? That’s the question on the minds of the Fruitland City Council, as discussed during its regular meeting on May 12.
City Administrator Stuart Grimes reached out to James Thum, oil and gas program manager for the Idaho Department of Lands, after receiving notice about Snake River Oil and Gas’ application to establish a new spacing unit in sections 15 and 22 of Fruitland. In his inquiry, Grimes sought to know the specific location for the well itself in order to allow the council to provide comments to the Department of Lands regarding the proposal.
As included in the meeting’s agenda, a May 7 response by Thum suggests that the company is redrawing its plans as of press time.
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Fire Season Is Approaching, Idaho! Avoid These 11 Mistakes!
104.3 WOW, 5-16-25
Living in the Treasure Fire season is right around the corner, and as many of us are aware, things can get out of control quickly! All it takes is one misstep, and the next thing you know, hundreds of acres are on fire.
2024 Was A Wild Fire Season For Idaho
We can't imagine having a job that requires you to literally run into a blazing structure fire, but there are men and women who live that reality every single day.
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A Look At Idaho's Wildfire Statistics in 2024
This wildfire season has been one for the books. Let's look at the numbers according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas
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Northern Lakes Fire: North Idaho should be ready for wildfires
Coeur d'Alene Press, 5-19-25
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Living in Wildfire Country — June 7
The Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, Kootenai County Fire Smart and Timberlake Fire District, invites the public to attend a free community wildfire preparedness event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Athol Community Center.
Open burning closed May 10 and will remain restricted through Oct. 20. Free burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Northern Lakes Fire District, including the cities of Hayden, Hayden Lake and Rathdrum. Permits can be obtained at burnpermits.idaho.gov.
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Conservation group launches survey on Payette land swap
Star-News, 5-15-25
The Idaho Department of Lands and U.S. Forest Service could trade ownership of thousands of acres of land around Payette Lake, and McCall nonprofit United Payette wants the public to be involved.
The group will send out surveys to over 6,000 addresses across Valley County seeking public opinion on the prospect of future endowment lands management.
No details of a potential land swap have been publicly announced by IDL or the Forest Service, but public records requests to the state agency confirmed that negotiations have been made towards developing a proposal.
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Hayden hosts Arbor Day festival
Coeur d'Alene Press, 5-16-25
The city of Hayden holds its Arbor Day festival a few weeks after the nationally recognized holiday, but after 23 years, the celebration is still growing.
Mayor Alan Davis declared in a proclamation that “May 15 is Arbor Day in the city of Hayden.”
Hundreds of students from Atlas Elementary School, Christian Center School, Northwest Expedition Academy, Hayden Meadows Elementary School, Alpine Village School and North Idaho Christian School visited McIntire Family Park to enjoy the outdoors, take home a tree sapling and learn about forestry.
 Isabella Valdez of the Idaho Department of Lands and Hayden Mayor Alan Davis hold up a Tree City, USA flag Thursday at McIntire Family Park.
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Ready for Memorial Day Weekend?
Posted May 23, 2025
 Ready for Memorial Day weekend? Don’t forget—dry grass is a wildfire waiting to happen.  
Driving, pulling over, or parking on dry vegetation can ignite a fire in seconds. Your vehicle's exhaust system gets hot enough to spark flames without warning.
 No parking over dry grass
 Stick to gravel or pavement when you stop
Be aware. Be cautious.
Do your part to prevent a wildfire start.
#FirePreventionJen #FirePreventionFriday #WildfireAwareness #OneLessSpark #HolidayWeekendSafety
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