Don’t Dump Idaho campaign kicking off its second year

TWIN FALLS, ID -We’re sick of it - and we know you are too!  The blight of shot up junk trashing our public lands has plagued many a recreationist, rangeland management specialist, wildlife biologist and all who enjoy the amazing vistas our public lands offer. The Bureau of Land Management is raising awareness of this cultural problem through its Don’t Dump Idaho campaign.

Recently, Twin Falls District BLM Law Enforcement Officer Jeff Knisley joined Twin Falls County Sheriff Tom Carter at a site just north of Balanced Rock littered with yard waste, a dead refrigerator, vacuum, wire, and oodles of spent shell casings. Their message? There are 14 sites around the Magic Valley managed by Southern Idaho Solid Waste where this kind of garbage belongs - not on public land.   Check out their video: https://youtu.be/XkmpnPgHp1Y

Federal statutes specify fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment for dumping trash and debris on public land.  Illegally dumped trash sites are investigated and offenders held responsible.

Littering on public or private property within the State of Idaho is an infraction and multiple convictions can lead to a fine up to $1000, 30 days imprisonment with the possibility of eight to 40 hours of litter cleanup (Idaho Statute 18-7031).

Judging from the amount of trash that is dumped annually on Idaho’s public lands, it’s tempting to think nobody cares. But people do care—Idaho’s sagebrush lands are part of America’s unique western heritage and home to hundreds of species of animals and plants.

If you see a dump site, please contact the Bureau of Land Management email:  BLM_ID_DontDumpIdaho@blm.gov phone: 1-844-327-5572 (toll-free) or 208-373-4096. In south-central Idaho, call SIRCOMM at 208-735-1911 or BLM Law Enforcement at 208-735-4600. 

Steer Core Ammunition added to the Idaho BLM Fire Prevention Order for items being "Restricted" on Public Lands

Idaho experiences numerous wildfires every year. It doesn’t take long for a small spark to become a major wildfire.  A wet winter and spring mean more grassy fuels. As it heats up and dries out, these fuels will easily ignite, and many people enjoy target practicing on public land.

During hot, dry summers the potential for causing a wildfire from target practice increases, so tracer and incendiary ammunition along with exploding targets are restricted for use on public lands through a Fire Prevention Order.

Magnet used to test for steel core

This year, the use of steel core ammunition will also be restricted.  In a study of ignition by rifle bullets conducted by the Rocky Mountain Research Station, found that bullet materials made of steel components and solid copper produce hot fragments that can ignite fine fuels. Please check your ammo to see if it does have a steel component, use a magnet, and if you see a painted tip, it’s a tracer, so don’t shoot it either. 

Before shooting on public lands check regulations and avoid shooting into rocks that could cause ricochets.  Also avoid areas of dry grass and other flammable materials.  Shoot in areas clear of all vegetation to avoid a potential ignition. Also, please practice the principles of leave no trace and pack out what you pack in.  Avoid shooting glass and leave your household items at home.

Be prepared.  Stay on designated roads and trails to avoid an ignition with your vehicle and carry a fire extinguisher and shovel just in case.

Be aware that ALL ammunition can cause a fire under the right conditions.  When it’s hot dry, and windy consider going to a public range where they have proper clearances…and shade!

The Fire Prevention Order is in effect from May 10th to October 20th, so do your part. Help Idaho BLM reduce the number of human caused fires. 

For more information, check out the Idaho Fire Information website: idahofireinfo.com

Tracer Ammunition

Era of Megafires Event - Twin Falls, May 17th at 6:00 p.m

May is Wildland Fire Awareness Month for 8 western State and Idaho BLM is hosting multiple events throughout the month. One of those events is the "Era of Megafires" which is a 70-minute, multi-media, traveling presentation that features Dr. Paul Hessburg (Pacific Northwest Research Center, US Forest Service), who has conducted fire and landscape ecology research for more then 27 years.  

This event is being sponsored by Idaho BLM, Mid-Snake RC&D, Idaho Firewise and US Forest Service. 

The “Era of Megafires” event will be held in the Twin Falls area at the Herrett Center, CSI in the Rick Allen Room on Wednesday, May 17th 

Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show starts at 6:00 pm and runs until about 7:30 - 8:00 pm.

ERA OF MEGAFIRES AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATER - TUESDAY, MAY 16TH

North 40 Productions, with a long list of additional supporting partners, announces “Era of Megafires.”

“Era of Megafires” is a 70-minute, multi-media, traveling presentation hosted by Dr. Paul Hessburg.  Hessburg is with the Pacific Northwest Research Station, in Wenatchee, WA, and the University of Washington, Seattle, where he has researched wildfire and landscape ecology for more than 27 years.  Megafires are wildfires over 100,000 acres and are exceptionally destructive to communities, wildlife and our natural spaces. The presented material comes in the form of fast-moving, short, topic-based talks interspersed with compelling video vignettes.  Think TedX mixed with snappy documentary shorts.

The presentation will show at the historic Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:00pm.  Doors open at 5:00 for a preshow no-host social.

WHO: Dr. Paul Hessburg from the Pacific Northwest Research Station, in Wenatchee, WA, and the University of Washington, Seattle

WHAT: “Era of Megafires” presentation

WHERE: Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16th, 2016 at 6:00 pm.  Doors open at 5:00.

The Boise show is supported by Idaho Firewise, Northern Rockies Fire Science Network, Ada Fire Adapted, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands. This event is also supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center; this institution is an equal opportunity provider.

A Northwest tour of the presentation is making stops in 30+ communities this spring and summer across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.  Other south Idaho communities that will host the tour are McCall (May 15), Boise (May 16), Twin Falls (May 17) and Pocatello (May 18).

“The goal of the project is to help communities understand the issues surrounding Megafires so that they can better participate in the conversation and begin driving towards solutions.” said Jeff Ostenson, Director of the project.  “I do believe we can change the way we receive wildfire and related smoke but it’s going to take everyone playing their part.”

The current state of wildfires throughout the West is catastrophic.  The past two summers have brought huge losses of homes, power girds, wastewater systems, roads, crops, tourism, jobs, emotional security and life.  The intent of this project is to significantly reduce losses we are experiencing from Megafires through education, community action, and policy change.

Tickets:

General Admission seating - $5.00 Advanced and $7.00 Day of Show

http://egyptiantheatre.net/event/era-of-megafires-presentation/

For more information and updates, visit the website: http://www.north40productions.com/wildfire

2017 Idaho BLM Fire Prevention Order

Idaho BLM initiated their annual Fire Prevention Order for 2017 today and it runs through October 20th. For more information please contact your local BLM District Office.

Fire season to start later due to winter snow pack and spring rains

Statewide, ID - Moisture from Idaho’s historically wet winter and the current spring rains will lessen the fire risk during the early summer months. Once vegetation and grasses dry out, however, fires may be larger than normal. 

The Wildland Fire Outlook, produced at the National Interagency Fire Center, projects that low to mid-elevation fuels should completely cure from south to north later in May through June. In May, as fuels begin to dry, there could be brief periods of increased fire potential with warm and windy conditions after a dry period. The outlook also reports elevated fire potential in July and August across the lower elevations of much of western and northern Nevada, and possibly into southwest Idaho.

The 2017 Fire Prevention Order, recently signed by the BLM Idaho State Director Tim Murphy, prohibits specific fire-related activities on public lands from May 10 to October 20. The order makes it illegal to burn explosive materials or use fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition on BLM-managed lands in Idaho.

 “The goal of the annual fire prevention order is to reduce the number of wildfires," said Eric Franstead, Idaho BLM Deputy State Fire Management Officer.  "The BLM appreciates your efforts to protect our public lands, one of our nation’s greatest treasures.”

Any person who knowingly and willfully performs any act restricted by the Fire Prevention Order could be subject to a fine and held responsible for fire suppression and/or rehabilitation cost. Historically, less than half of wildfires in Idaho are caused by humans. However, in 2016, almost 88 percent of fires on BLM-managed lands in Idaho were human-caused. Those 236 fires burned over 13,000 acres.

May has been designated Wildfire Awareness Month by eight Western governors including Idaho Governor Butch Otter. This campaign urges residents to better protect their homes and communities from wildfires. Simple steps like pruning trees, cleaning gutters and screening vents can protect a home against the threat of wildfire.

The BLM Idaho 2017 Fire Prevention Order, as well as the most recent information concerning wildfires, fire restrictions and fire prevention and education, can be found on the interagency Idaho Fire Info webpage, www.idahofireinfo.com. 

For tips on wildland fire prevention and community preparedness, visit www.idahofirewise.org or http://fireadapted.org/.

2017 Wildland Fire Outlooks: https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Fire safety burn permits required starting May 10

(BOISE) - Starting May 10, Idahoans must obtain a fire safety burn permit from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) before starting certain controlled burn activities.

The permits can be obtained online at http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov or in person at IDL offices statewide.

The fire safety burn permit is free of charge and good for 10 days after it is issued. Permits issued through the self service web site are available seven days a week, issued immediately, and valid immediately.

Idaho law (38-115) requires any person living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plans to burn anything - including crop residue burning and excluding recreational campfires - during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn permit. Closed fire season begins May 10 and extends through October 20 every year.

Residents also are encouraged to contact their local city or rural fire department before burning because some incorporated cities and towns may require their own burn permit. IDL will not issue fire safety burn permits within districts where local burn bans are in effect. Additionally, residents should contact the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for burn restriction information for air quality by calling (800) 633-6247 or visitinghttp://deq.idaho.gov/air-quality.aspx.

If there are other burning restrictions in effect or additional or alternate permits required, the fire safety burn permit web site will provide instructions for Idahoans on how to contact those entities.

The fire safety burn permit system helps inform fire managers where burning activities are occurring, reducing the number of false runs to fires and saving firefighting resources for instances in which they are truly needed. It also enables fire managers to respond more quickly to fires that escape, potentially reducing the liability of the burner if their fire escapes.

Contact information for IDL offices where fire safety burn permits can be obtained in person is available at http://www.idl.idaho.gov/areas/index.html.

Spring Prescribed Burning Planned on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Kamiah, Idaho (May 1, 2017) - The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will be conducting prescribed burns throughout the forest this spring as weather allows.  Roads and trail heads that lead into these areas will be posted with caution signs and a map of the prescribed fire locations. 

Prescribed burning is done to reduce dead and down fuels, selectively thin understory trees in densely forested stands, stimulate fire tolerant plant species, enhance forage for wildlife, reduce the risk of large-scale stand-replacement fires, create strategic fuels breaks in the urban interface, and bring back fire’s natural role to the landscape.

Prescribed fire activities involves risk and fire managers evaluate values at risk prior to ignition.   Firefighter and public safety are our highest priorities.  This applies to all hazardous environments, and to the concept that we incur risk if we burn and if we do not burn. Fire is a part of the environment in this fuel type and a natural process that will occur regardless if it is a managed burn or unplanned wildfire. 

Prior to conducting a prescribed fire many values at risk are considered and include firefighter and public safety, cumulative affects to communities, neighboring jurisdictions and private lands, natural resources (either in the loss of habitat due to removal of fire or devastation of habitat when a wildfire of much higher severity then a prescribed burn occurs), and other resources such as state and local firefighters, EMTs, aerial resources, etc.

Burning in the spring is also an important way of reducing the amount of smoke that typically impacts communities during the fire season.  Smoke from these prescribed fires will be much less than what would be expected from a wildfire.  If smoke concentrations approach air quality standards fire ignition may be delayed until air quality improves.  Residual smoke may be visible for up to 2 weeks following ignition, but most of the smoke from the fires will dissipate 1-2 days.

The following burn projects are associated with past timber harvests. The general objective for these units would be to reduce residual fuel loadings created as a result of the commercial harvest operations. These burns will generally be shorter duration and more localized in nature.

Lochsa/Powell Ranger District - 316 acres are planned:

·         White White Timber Sale - 300 acres,1 mile southeast of Musselshell Work Center

·         Saddle Camp Timber Sale - 16 acres, along Forest Service road 5601

Moose Creek Ranger District - 350-400 acres are planned:

·         Iron Mountain Timber Sale - 350-400 acres, 10 miles south of the Fenn Ranger Station along Forest Service road 464

North Fork Ranger District - 75 acres are planned:

·         Middle Bugs Timber Sale - 75 acres in the Lean-to-Ridge area

Palouse Ranger District - 140 acres are planned:

·         Robo-Stew Timber Sale - 63 acres, 0.8 miles west of Elk River, adjacent to Hwy 8

·         Robo-Stew Timber Sale - 16 acres, 1.8 miles southwest of Elk River near Forest Service road 1452

·         Robo-Stew Timber Sale - 14 acres, 1.3 miles south southeast of Elk River near the Dent road

·         Abes Animal Timber Sale - 47 acres, 4.1 miles northwest of Bovill on Forest Service road3321

Red River Ranger District - 630 acres are planned:

·         French Gulch Timber Sale - 93 acres, 5 miles southeast of Elk City

·         Trapper John Timber Sale - 152 acres, 12 miles south of Elk City

·         Jungle Trail Timber Sale - 216 acres, 10 miles southeast of Elk City

·         South Township Timber Sale - 169 acres along the south border of the Elk City Township

Salmon River Ranger District - 331 acres are planned:

·         Buckshot Timber Sale - 162 acres located in the Slate Creek Drainage approximately 10 miles Northwest of Slate Creek, Idaho

·         Moonshine Timber Sale - 103 acres, Located along FSR 9315 and 9316  in Little Slate Creek drainage approximately 12 miles southeast of Slate Creek, Idaho

·         Millertime Timber Sale - 66 acres, located along FSR 9413 and in the Little Slate Creek and Van Buren Creek drainages

In addition to activity associated with timber harvest, the Salmon River Ranger District plans to burn 2,000-4,000 acres of natural fuels in the Kessler, Blue Mountain, Monument, Wickiup, Blue Ridge, and Blacktail drainage areas.

Specific information on the location and timing of these prescribed burns are available at each of the district offices.  Powell Ranger Station - Matt Young or Brandon Cichowski, 208-942-3113, Moose Creek Ranger District - Tim Schaeffer or Jon Norman, 208-926-4258, Lochsa Ranger Station - Sean Gaines or Neal Cox, 208-926-4274, North Fork Ranger District - Brandon Skinner or TC Peterson, 208-476-4541, Palouse Ranger District - Lisa Spinelli or Alan Carlson, 208-875-1131, Salmon River Ranger District - Richard Stiles or Kevin Barger, 208-983-1950, Red River Ranger District - Josh Bransford or Tom McLeod, 208-842-2245.