Current News Coverage
County moving ahead on drafting target-shooting law
Idaho Mountain Express, 9-4-26
Blaine County leaders this week decided to move forward with researching and drafting for consideration an ordinance to limit target shooting in the county during times of high or extreme fire danger.
In its regular meeting Tuesday in Hailey, the Board of County Commissioners discussed how a potential ordinance could be composed to lessen the wildfire risk posed by people shooting targets when conditions warrant without unduly imposing on their prerogative to pursue a popular form of outdoor recreation.
The discussions started last month, after a wildfire was started in July by alleged target shooting on Idaho Department of Lands property in Ohio Gulch, north of Hailey. The Ohio Fire threatened multiple neighborhoods in the area, ultimately burning 2,035 acres of land, largely in areas managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
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Fire restrictions lifted across Idaho panhandle
KXLY, 9-3-26
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Federal, state, and tribal land managers have lifted fire restrictions across Idaho's panhandle following precipitation and cooler temperatures that have reduced fire danger across the region.
Suppression efforts continue for several active fires in the northern panhandle, but recent weather patterns have lowered fire danger.
For detailed information about fire restrictions across Idaho, visit the Idaho Department of Lands website at here.
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‘No’ for now to Warren gravel pit
Idaho County Free Press, 8-31-26
WARREN – A lease for a gravel pit off of Warren Wagon Road was not approved by the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 18, following concerns about public notices for the proposal. The board plans to reevaluate and redo the lease advertising process and could consider other uses for the 41-acre property in the future.
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State could award large piece of land near Micron to Boise developer
BoiseDev, 8-28-26
A Boise-based industrial company has been selected as the possible holder of a long-term lease on a large piece of state land near Micron. But it’s not all said and done.
Adler Industrial has been selected as the winner in a request for proposals process for a lease on state-owned endowment land. The 31-acre property is located near the intersection of Highway 21 and Federal Way. The lease term is for more than 20 years, but the Idaho Department of Lands would not specify the exact length.
IDL Public Information Officer Sharla Arledge said further details on the lease are not available because it is still being negotiated. Because the lease is more than 20 years long, IDL must hold a public hearing, scheduled for September 2 at 5 p.m. at the IDL Boise Bureau Office.
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Roads closed due to Silver Fire
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-29-26
All roads and trails providing access from the Priest Lake side of the Selkirk Mountains to Chimney Rock, Mount Roothaan, Fault Lake, Hunt Lake and Gunsight Peak are temporarily closed to the public amid the ongoing flames of Silver Fire.
“The closure is necessary due to the active Silver Fire and ongoing wildfire suppression operations in the area. Firefighters, fire engines, heavy equipment, aircraft and other suppression resources are operating within and around these access routes,” Idaho Department of Lands officials said.
The announcement was made Friday, Aug. 28, and will remain in effect until fire conditions and suppression efforts are no longer present. Officials said the closure is meant to protect the public and firefighters who are actively responding to Silver Fire.
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Bonner, Boundary counties placed on stage 2 fire restrictions
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-29-26
SANDPOINT — Bonner and Boundary counties have been placed on Stage 2 fire restrictions following a recent wildfire spread and dry conditions that have been sweeping the two northern counties, Idaho Department of Land officials said in a Friday morning announcement.
Bonner County Sheriff’s Office shared the news in a Friday morning Nixle alert, reminding residents that the restrictions, originally put in place early August, remain in effect because of increased fire activity.
According to IDL officials, fire restrictions are based on area conditions and become more restrictive with each stage increase. If conditions continue to worsen, officials said a forest closure may occur, where the public will be unable to enter national forest boundaries until the applicable fire danger lessens.
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