Current News Coverage
Ranch manager tied to top Trump appointee started 5,600-acre Idaho wildfire
Idaho Mountain Express, 9-17-26
One afternoon in late September 2024, the Owyhee County Sheriff’s office began fielding reports of multiple smoke columns billowing from near Josephine Creek Ranch, in Idaho’s remote southwest corner.
Michael Boren, a tech megamillionaire and Trump appointee who now oversees the U.S. Forest Service, has an ownership stake in the Josephine Creek Ranch, valued between $500,001 and $1 million, according to his 2026 financial disclosure, which Public Domain and High Country News obtained this week. The ranch is managed by Boren’s brother, Steve Boren, who called the Boise Interagency Dispatch Center earlier that day to report that he would be conducting prescribed burns on “private land” a couple of miles south of the ranch. According to an investigation, after phone calls started coming into 911, Steve Boren assured fire dispatchers that “All is good. The fires stayed on private land.”
But as officials with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) would discover and document in a lengthy investigative report, Steve Boren started the fires — at least 20 separate ignitions — on land owned by the state of Idaho and leased to Josephine Creek Ranch Inc. for cattle grazing. (A recent federal ethics disclosure confirms that Michael Boren has an ownership stake in that company.) When he ignited the fires, Steve Boren did not have a required burn permit, which he told investigators was “a mistake,” and lit the fires during what the state investigator called “a hold on any burning due to the excessively dry fuels,” according to the department investigation.
Read Idaho Mountain Express article and Public Domain article
Lava Hot Springs to serve as Idaho’s ‘Capital for a Day’ with Gov. Little, state officials
Idaho Capital Sun, 9-17-26
The southeastern Idaho city of Lava Hot Springs will serve as the host of Idaho’s next “Capital for a Day” event on Tuesday.
Capital for a Day events feature Gov. Brad Little and many of the state’s agency directors traveling to smaller communities throughout Idaho. During the events, the governor and agency heads discuss state issues and programs and conduct an open forum for local residents to ask questions or make suggestions.
“It is an honor to bring my next Capital for a Day to Lava Hot Springs,” Little said in a statement. “I look forward to hearing directly from the people of Bannock County about what matters most to them. These conversations help us better understand how we can work together to make state government more responsive and effective.”
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- State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt
- Department of Water Resources Director Mat Weaver
- Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne
- Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Charron
- Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller
- Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton
- Transportation Department Director Alberto Gonzalez
- Department of Finance Director Salvador Cruz
Read Idaho Capital Sun article
Idaho Has Spent Nearly $40 Million Fighting Wildfires. That’s Not the Real Cost.
107.9 LITE FM, 9-17-26
$40 million. That’s approximately how much Idaho has racked up fighting wildfires on public lands this summer.
It’s a staggering number, but that’s not the number that bothers me the most.
178 Idaho Fires Were Caused by People
Through August 24, the Idaho Department of Lands had responded to 218 fires on state endowment lands.
178 were human-caused, which means only 40 weren’t caused by people. That's more than 80%.
ReadLITEFM article
Forestry program proves an early hit at Priest River Lamanna High School
Coeur d'Alene Press, 9-16-26
PRIEST RIVER — Grabbing a nearby chainsaw after the first failed to start, Priest River Lamanna forestry teacher Jared Hughes turned to the ribbon stretched across the garage door opening to the district's new forestry building.
After putting on neon orange protective pants, Hughes grabbed a pair of earplugs and protective goggles and turned to the crowd before picking up a small chainsaw.
Turning to a long plank with Priest River carved on the left side, Hughes fired up the chainsaw — or tried to.
Read CDA Press article
Idaho fire season begins to wind down
Lewiston Tribune, 9-16-26
BOISE — Idaho’s fire suppression account balance has maintained a positive standing, but several key expenditures are still to be reconciled, and heightened potential for wildfire remains present throughout the state.
This week’s meeting of the Idaho Land Board arrived with just over a month remaining in the state’s official closed fire season, which runs from May 10 through Oct. 20 and during which state burn permits are legally required. Though nearing the end, National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) forecasts are predicting above-average fire potential across the entire state in September, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Dustin Miller said.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Miller said. “Our potential for fire is gradually beginning to decline with shorter days, cooler nights, but drought and cured fuels will continue to present challenges.”
As of Monday, emergency fire suppression expenditures have reached nearly $41 million. After incorporating $14.6 million in reimbursement costs — stemming from IDL resources fighting fires outside its jurisdiction or area of responsibility — the state’s net obligation stands at $25.9 million, Miller said.
Read Lewiston Tribune article
Idaho’s fire expenses stay outside the red as fire season begins to wind down
Idaho County Free Press, 9-15-26
BOISE — Idaho’s fire suppression account balance has maintained a positive standing, but several key expenditures are still to be reconciled, and heightened potential for wildfire remains present throughout the state.
This week’s meeting of the Idaho Land Board arrived with just over a month remaining in the state’s official closed fire season, which runs from May 10 through Oct. 20 and during which state burn permits are legally required. Though nearing the end, National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) forecasts are predicting above-average fire potential across the entire state in September, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Dustin Miller said.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Miller said. “Our potential for fire is gradually beginning to decline with shorter days, cooler nights, but drought and cured fuels will continue to present challenges.”
Read Idaho County Free Press article
Idaho wildfire debt climbs above $40 million in August
BSU Radio Public Radio, 9-15-26
Idaho has racked up nearly $40 million in debt fighting wildfires on its public lands this summer as the season starts to wind down.
That total mostly comes from personnel, though aircraft and supplies also ate up significant chunks, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
IDL Director Dustin Miller said about $14 million of that will be reimbursed by the federal government or other agencies – leaving $25.5 million on the state’s credit card balance.
He said people should still be careful in the backcountry, despite the cooling temperatures.
Read BSU Radio article
Grandad Bridge Road closed Sept. 16-23
Idaho County Free Press, 9-14-26
Orofino — Grandad Bridge Road, also known as Mussleman Road, will be closed to all traffic from Sept. 16-23 while the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) replaces culverts and conducts maintenance. The closure will be between mile markers 13.5 and 16.7.
Detour routes will be signed and accessible from the eastern approach to the bridge via the Silver Creek Road junction and from Silver Creek Road via Beaver Creek Road at mile marker 1.4.
Read Free Press article
Granddad Bridge Road set for weeklong closure starting Wednesday
Lewiston Tribune, 9-13-26
Grandad Bridge Road, also known as Mussleman Road, will be closed to all traffic from Wednesday until Sept. 23 to allow for roadwork, the Idaho Department of Lands announced.
The closure will be between mile markers 13.5 and 16.7.
Detour routes will be signed and accessible from the eastern approach to the bridge via the Silver Creek Road junction and from Silver Creek Road via Beaver Creek Road at mile marker 1.4, according to IDL.
Read Lewiston Tribune Article
Grandad Bridge Road to Close for Culvert Work
Dailyfly, 9-12-26
OROFINO, ID — Grandad Bridge Road, also known as Mussleman Road, will be closed to all traffic from Sept. 16 through Sept. 23 while the Idaho Department of Lands replaces culverts and conducts road maintenance.
The closure will extend from mile marker 13.5 to mile marker 16.7.
Signed detours will be available from the eastern approach to the bridge through the Silver Creek Road junction and from Silver Creek Road through Beaver Creek Road at mile marker 1.4.
Read Dailyfly article
Wildfire Coverage
Crews make quick work of 100-plus-acre wildfire near Emmett
Idaho Press, 9-14-26
SWEET — A grass and brush fire northeast of Emmett grew to more than 100 acres over the weekend.
Dubbed the Wildhorse fire, the blaze was first reported at 1:45 p.m. Sunday just south of Sweet in Gem County. It spread north and west and grew to about 150 acres, the Idaho Department of Lands reported.
The fire was contained by 8 p.m. and controlled shortly after, a Department of Lands spokesperson said, shifting the fire into “monitor” status.
Read Idaho Press article
Gem County crews contain 150-acre fire near Wildhorse Circle
KTVB, 9-13-26
GEM COUNTY, Idaho — Fire crews are responding to a rapidly growing wildfire south of Sweet that has expanded to more than 150 acres, according to emergency dispatch reports and fire officials.
The Wildhorse Fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. Sunday near Wildhorse Circle. Initial reports described a fast-moving grass fire fueled by dry vegetation and strong winds. The fire was spreading toward the northeast and moving into the foothills. Containment is now expected for 8 p.m. and control is expected by midnight.
Wildhorse Fire near Sweet, Idaho, grows to 150 acres; crews aim for containment by 8 p.m.
KBOI2, 8-13-26
EMMETT, Idaho (CBS2) — Fire crews responded Sunday afternoon to a growing wildfire burning just south of Sweet in Gem County after flames were reported about 1:45 p.m.
The Wildhorse Fire has grown to about 150 acres. The fire has been burning in cheat grass and has been wind-aided, moving northeast and climbing foothills. Earlier reports described the fire as actively pushing north and west.
Responding and cooperating agencies include Gem County Fire District No. 2, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the Bureau of Land Management. Firefighting resources include four engines, and one dozer was also assigned. Air Attack was reported en route to assist, and retardant was dropped to help suppression efforts.
Read the KBOI2 article
Fire crews respond to 150-acre wildfire near Wildhorse Circle in Gem County
KIVI, 9-13-26
GEM COUNTY, Idaho — The 150-acre Wildhorse Fire in Gem County is expected to be controlled by midnight.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the fire was first reported Sunday at around 1:45 p.m.
Responding agencies included Gem County Fire District No. 2, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the Bureau of Land Management. Resources included both engines and aircraft, and all aircraft assigned to this fire were released for the evening, according to IDL.
Read KIVI article
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