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Valley County, ID - In the wake of the Rock Fire, which began on August 12, 2025 and burned nearly 2,800 acres across the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, and Idaho endowment trust lands, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) moved swiftly to prepare and auction salvage timber to protect public resources, reduce hazards, and preserve remaining timber value.
This salvage effort represents one of the fastest turnarounds IDL foresters have seen, made possible through strong coordination with the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest and the GNA program. Early planning and collaboration allowed salvage activities to begin while the fire was still active, reducing safety hazards and increasing the value of burned timber before deterioration occurred. It created a unique opportunity to have coordinated salvage operations simultaneously across state endowment and federal ownership boundaries.
“This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when agencies work side-by-side with shared priorities. Through close coordination between IDL, the Boise National Forest, and Tamarack Resort, we were collectively able to move quickly to address post-fire hazards and recover valuable timber. The speed of this effort not only reduced safety risks for the public but also ensured that resources were put to good use — a real win for Tamarack, the Forest Service, and the citizens of Idaho,” said Jon Songster, GNA’s Bureau Chief.
IDL completed its endowment salvage sale package for bureau review by August 27—just 15 days after the fire ignited—drafting the sale while operating at the Rock Fire Incident Command Post, with fieldwork conducted by IDL staff.
The endowment timber sale included 700,000 board feet of burned timber across 65 acres of endowment trust land benefiting the Public School Endowment and State Hospital South Endowment.
The sale was successfully auctioned on September 15 and purchased by Tamarack Resort, whose long-term lease area includes the affected acres. Tamarack hired Miller Timber Services, which began harvesting on October 14 using a cut-to-length logging system—equipment and technique not commonly used in this part of Idaho.
GNA salvage sales were close behind. Even before the fire was fully contained on September 30, IDL’s endowment foresters, alongside National Forest staff working through GNA, were already coordinating fieldwork, writing sale packages, and preparing the ground for safe and timely salvage.
“This was a collective effort. It took seamless collaboration with the Idaho Department of lands and efficient field implementation with an interagency team. The decisive planning and coordination between the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands on this project was an impressive thing to be a part of. If we had taken a week longer to pursue the project, start fieldwork, or prepare the contract, we might have missed the window to award the sale. From start to finish, this sale was prepared and awarded in 6 weeks; immediately after the categorical exclusion was signed, which was an immense turn around in itself,” said Kyle Laven, Supervisory Forester and GNA Program Manager for the USFS, Boise National Forest.
Seven days before the Rock Fire was contained on September 23, a 95,000 board feet GNA salvage sale on the Payette National Forest sold to Tamarack Mill LLC.
On October 22, just 22 days after the fire was contained, the GNA Rock Fire Salvage sale on the Boise National forest sold 224,000 board feet to the Tamarack Resort.
Harvest work on both the IDL sale and the complementary GNA sale purchased by Tamarack Resort is wrapping up this week and will resume in the spring.
“The Idaho Department of Lands has been an exceptional steward and partner throughout Tamarack’s long-term lease and operations on Idaho’s endowment lands. Following the Rock Fire, IDL’s quick coordination and leadership enabled a successful salvage effort that protects forest health and supports continued recreational use. We’re grateful for the Department’s collaborative approach and proud to work together to ensure these lands remain productive, sustainable, and accessible for Idahoans,” said Scott Turlington, President and CEO, Tamarack Resort.
Most of the salvage area within the resort’s lease footprint is expected to become a new ski run once operations conclude.
 Salvage area being logged. Photo by Luke Pate ,IDL
 Log deck within the salvage area. Photo by Luke Pate, IDL
 Log deck within the salvage area. Photo by Luke Pate, IDL
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