Current News Coverage
State, federal agencies lift Stage 1 fire restrictions
Idaho Mountain Express, 9-11-26
State and federal agencies have lifted Stage 1 fire restrictions in much of Idaho as of today, Friday, despite high fire danger.
A joint press release issued Tuesday by the Sawtooth National Forest, U.S. Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Idaho Department of Lands stated that land managers have determined conditions are appropriate to rescind the restrictions in the South Idaho Interagency Dispatch Area, which encompasses most of Blaine County.
Idaho Department of Lands spokeswoman Sharla Arledge told the Express that, when in place, the restrictions in dispatch areas, such as the South Idaho Interagency Dispatch Area, apply to state, federal and private rangelands and forest lands.
Read Mountain Express article
Trails reopen as weather cools fires
Bonner County Daily Bee, 9-10-26
SANDPOINT — With cooler weather and rains helping fire crews get a handle on area wildfires, several trail closures that provided for public and firefighter safety on the Silver Fire have been lifted.
"These popular recreation trails were reopened as soon as fire managers and agency leadership felt it was safe to do so," Kary Maddox, U.S. Forest Service public information officer, said.
To the east of the Silver Fire, the Roman Nose Lakes (Trail No. 165), Bottleneck Lake (Trail No. 187) and Snow Lake (Trail No. 185) Trails have reopened. On the west side of the fire, the Idaho Department of Lands has reopened the Chimney Rock and Mount Roothaan Trailhead (IDL Road 25) and Hunt Lake, Fault Lake, Gunsight Peak Trailhead (IDL Road 241).
Read Bonner Bee article
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.
...
As for its part, the Idaho Department of Lands told the Idaho Mountain Express on Wednesday that it has completed an investigation into the wildfire. A public records request to IDL to obtain the results of the investigation had not been fulfilled by press time.
Read Idaho Mountain Express article
New trail closures implemented due to Crooked Fire near Idaho City
Idaho Capital Sun, 9-3-26
State officials announced the temporary closure of seven trails on Thursday due to the Crooked Fire that is burning near Idaho City.
Idaho Department of Lands officials said the temporary closures are necessary to protect the public and firefighters’ safety as the wildfire continues to burn.
Read Idaho Capital Sun article
|
