Tragedy in North Idaho Firefighting Community
The IDL family has been hit hard with the tragic shooting of the three firefighters on the Nettleton Gulch Fire. The deaths and injury were difficult emotionally, and was especially troubling knowing IDL crews were on the way to that fire and were just minutes away from going into that fire fight.
The Director reached out right away with several check ins making sure those who were struggling were aware of resources available for support.
A Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team was brought in last week to support both IDL and USFS staff.
The CISM team offered in person and virtual only meetings Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The virtual meeting was open to key adult family members (spouses, partners, etc.).
Dustin had this important message:
Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. Whether you're feeling shock, sadness, anger, fear or nothing at all right now, please know that whatever you’re experiencing is valid. The weight of this may hit you later when you least expect it. When it does, I urge you to reach out to a peer, a trusted friend, or through one of the formal support channels. And if you need to talk, my door and phone line (and those of everyone on the executive leadership team) are always open. You are not alone.
Now more than ever, we need to show up for one another. Take care of yourselves and each other. Your well-being remains my highest priority.
Governor's Wildfire Round Table and Trail Ride
Governor Little had the opportunity to host high ranking officials in the Trump administration for a round table on the 2025 wildfire season, then joining the Governor's Trail Ride. The Governor's Trail Ride is an annual gathering of officials and people who work the land to discuss important natural resources issues.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in attendance at the wildfire roundtable included:
- Kate MacGregor, DOI Deputy Secretary
- Kristin Sleeper, USDA Deputy Undersecretary
- Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service
- Adam Suess, DOI Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management
- Andrew Mott, Assistant to the DOI Deputy Secretary
Director Miller, Jake Strohmeyer and others joined the Governor for these two events.
Having an audience with top leadership from the Trump administration, including Chief Schultz, gave the Governor, state agency directors, and ranchers a unique opportunity to discuss important land management issues, challenges we are facing here in Idaho, but also possible solutions.
Many issues were discussed including grazing, sage grouse management, fire and forestry. Dustin gave an update on what IDL has done to support Trump’s "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production" executive order and support for the Governor’s “Making Forests Healthy Again” executive order. IDL continues to work closely with the administration on work to reduce fire risk and improve conditions on federal lands.
 Director Dustin Miller speaking to the group.
 Dustin Miller about to leave on the Governor's Ride
Governor's Employee Engagement Survey
IDL employees have been invited to participate in the 2025 State of Idaho’s Governor’s Executive Office Agencies Employee Engagement Survey, which runs until July 18, 2025.
Employee feedback is invaluable in helping your leadership teams and HR understand your experiences as an employee and gain insight into what we need to start, stop, and continue doing as teams, managers, individuals, and as an agency.
The survey includes a comprehensive set of questions developed by Qualtrics, which are proven to effectively measure the employee experience and its drivers.
Responses are confidential, and no agency manager or leader will have access to individual responses.
The survey must be completed by Friday, July 18th at 11:45 PM Mountain Time.
Southern Idaho’s 2025 Forestry Tour Highlights Collaborative Forest Management and Wildfire Resilience
Southern Idaho's forestry community gathered in Idaho City for the 2025 Forestry Tour. This was an educational event spotlighting interagency collaboration and proactive land stewardship.
35 people participated in the presentations and field exploration.
Topics of the presentations included: IDL Forestry Assistance Program, NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQUIP), Boise County and National Forest Foundations Fuels Reduction Programs, and the IDL Forest Health Program.
The field tour went to the 2024 Flat Fire site near Centerville, with the charred landscape serving as a backdrop for in-depth discussion on the impact of forest management practices on wildfire behavior. Presenters emphasized the stark contrast between actively management forest stands and areas with little to no management, underscoring the critical role of fuels reduction, thinning, and restoration efforts in minimizing fire intensity and protecting ecosystems.
This event was hosted by the IDL in partnership with the University of Idaho, the NRCS, the Idaho Tree Farm Program, the National Forest Foundation (NFF), and the Squaw Creek Soil Conservation District.
photos by Scott Sievers
 
Wardens to the Yukon
C-PTPA Fire Warden Kane Steinbruecker and Craig Mountain FPD Fire Warden Kevin Chaffee were dispatched to the Smitty Complex in the Yukon and are assigned to Operations. Kane was featured on the cover of the Incident Action Plan on July 4.
Back from Canada
The Teakean Crew and the second 20-person IDL hand crew have returned home from their assignments in Canada, bringing back new experiences, strengthened skills, and stories of cross-border collaboration. Working alongside our Canadian partners, they shared expertise, learned from one another, and stood shoulder to shoulder on the fireline.
Opportunities like this deepen our knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and remind us that wildland fire knows no borders—but neither does teamwork.
Welcome home! You made Idaho proud.
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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