Current News Coverage
Idaho faces a wildfire problem linked largely to human activity
When In Your State, 10-21-26
People cause most IDL wildfires
A single careless moment can turn a quiet day outdoors into a dangerous wildfire. More than 80% of the wildfires handled by the Idaho Department of Lands this year were caused by people, according to department director Dustin Miller.
The numbers raise important questions about fire safety, public responsibility, and the cost of protecting forests. With thousands of acres already burned on lands protected by the department, Idaho officials are looking for ways to prevent fires and hold negligent parties accountable.
Thousands of acres have burned
By the end of September 2026, about 10,000 acres of land under the Idaho Department of Lands’ protection had burned in wildfires. That is a large area of forests and other land affected by fires during the season.
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Wildfires cost Idahoans $47.3 million in 2026
Boise State Public Radio News, 10-21-26
Idaho officials have tallied up what they hope will be the final wildfire suppression costs for 2026, tacking on a few million dollars more to the state credit card.
Barring any last minute burns, Idaho will have spent more than $47 million this year tackling 227 wildfires on state lands. Nearly all of them were human caused.
About 10,400 acres of state endowment land burned during 2026 – the second most incendiary season in the past four years.
About $20 million of the total funds are expected to be reimbursed by the federal government or other agencies, leaving the state’s share at $27.5 million.
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State sells timber sale
Clearwater Tribune, 10-21-26
The Idaho Department of Lands sold a timber sale on Monday, Oct. 19, at Kamiah. Roundup Lacey, located 7 miles SE of Weippe, was sold to IFG Timber LLC.
The estimated 2,865 MBF was sold for an average price of $208 per M. Proceeds will benefit the Charitable Institute and School of Science endowments.
Gov. Little, state officials to travel to Arco for Idaho ‘Capital for a Day’ on Oct. 22
Idaho Capital Sun, 10-20-26
Arco, also known as “The Atomic City,” will serve as Idaho’s “Capital for a Day” on Thursday.
Gov. Brad Little and other top state officials will travel to Arco for events taking place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Lost Rivers Community and Senior Center, located at 555 S. Water St. in Arco.
Little, other statewide elected officials and agency directors regularly travel to smaller Idaho communities for Capital for a Day events.
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Officials joining Little in Arco on Thursday include:
- Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke
- Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf
- Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane
- Idaho Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt
- Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne
- Idaho Department of Finance Director Salvador Cruz
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks
- Idaho Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Spencer Barzee
- Idaho Department of Lands Operations Division Administrator Jake Strohmeyer
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State land board approves land exchange on property in Grangeville; city council raises concerns with potential $22,861 annual tax loss
Idaho County Free Press, 10-19-26
BOISE -- (UPDATE, Tuesday, Oct. 20) The Idaho State Land Board voted unanimously today, Tuesday, Oct. 20, to approve a land exchange that would bring a 16-acre property near the Grangeville airport into state ownership for potential expansion of wildfire operations.
The decision comes despite concerns raised by the Grangeville City Council at its meeting Monday night, Oct. 19, due to the loss of nearly $23,000 in annual property tax revenue. City officials have emphasized the potential benefits of expanded firefighting operations while asking the state to consider the financial impact on local taxpayers.
GRANGEVILLE — A proposed land exchange that would give the Idaho Department of Lands an approximate 16-acre property near the Idaho County Airport in Grangeville for wildfire operations comes before the Idaho State Land Board on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with city officials urging the board to consider the loss of nearly $23,000 in annual property tax revenue.
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