Wildfire training drill to be held in Pocatello

POCATELLO, Idaho—On May 12, 2018, the Gateway Interagency Fire Front (GIFF) will coordinate an interagency training exercise involving multiple federal, state and local fire agencies. The exercise will train individuals to function on an interagency wildfire incident. During the four station scenarios, the wildland firefighting partners will practice structure protection, radio communication and firefighting tactics.

The exercise will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 5425 Bannock Hwy, Pocatello, ID 83204. The main staging area will be at the church and the agencies will report to the staging area for a briefing before rotating through four stations. One station will involve hands on wildfire operations training where students will practice wildland firefighting skills including; fireline construction, hoselays, and engine operations. The second station will involve structure protection in the Gibson Jack area. The third station will teach firefighters how to effectively communicate with air resources and the fourth station will cover how to use staging areas to facilitate a coordinated response to wildfire incidents.

Expect increased traffic around the church and in the Gibson Jack area while the exercise takes place. The training is expected to conclude at noon.

For more information concerning the logistics and attending the exercise, please contact Kelsey Griffee, Fire Information Officer for the Bureau of Land Management at 208-521-8709 or email at kgriffee@blm.gov.

Idaho BLM Fire Prevention Order - May 10th thru October 20th

Statewide, Idaho -Another fire season is approaching and BLM Idaho is asking for your help to prevent human-caused fires. Acting BLM Idaho State Director Peter Ditton recently signed the 2018 Fire Prevention Order, which prohibits specific fire-related activities on public land from May 10 to Oct. 20. The Fire Prevention 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 human-caused wildfires,” said Ditton, “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 costs.

Additionally, the BLM is promoting a fire education campaign that encourages the public to take proactive measures when target shooting. The campaign “Shoot Responsibly - Idaho” aims to remind everyone of the simple steps to remember when target shooting.  For instance, avoid shooting on hot, dry and windy days or shooting into rocks or metal objects and place targets in areas free of vegetation. Taking these simple measures can lessen the chances of causing a wildfire.

Historically, fewer than half of all wildfires in Idaho are caused by humans. However, almost 60 percent of BLM fires in Idaho in 2017 were human-caused, and a majority of those were shooting-related.

To read the BLM Idaho 2018 Fire Prevention Order, or for the most recent information concerning wildfires, fire restrictions, and fire prevention and education, can be found on the interagency Idaho Fire Info webpage, https://www.idahofires.com/.

Shoot Responsibly - Idaho, This week's Mitigation Minute!

This week's #MitigationMinute urges the public to "Shoot Responsibly - Idaho" when target-shooting on public lands. Think before you shoot and follow these helpful tips. #WFAM #OneLessSparkOneLessWildfire #BLMBODFire

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Management

            Emergency Firefighter Program  

The Job:

• Twin Falls District Fire Management program is looking for 20 applicants to work as support fire fighters for our permanent/seasonal staff.
• Applicants will fill in for fire fighters on an as needed basis.
• The job requires hard work, sleeping on the ground, and being gone up to 30 days at a time.
• Availability is key! This is an on call position, and you can be called upon at any time day or night.
• Each applicant will be evaluated after each assignment. If you are determined to be an asset to our program, continued AD work and consideration for seasonal employment the following season will be an option.
•  This is an entry level position.
• Submit a resume to tfdfirejobs@gmail.com.

What We Provide:

• Required Training
• Necessary Gear and Equipment (except boots)
• A Professional Work Environment
• An Opportunity to Work as a Member of a Highly Skilled Team
• An Hourly Wage of $17.40 and Per Diem when in Travel Status
• Pre-employment Physical and Drug Test

Requirements if Selected:

Complete the follow training online and bring copies of certificates to the field day:

• I-100 http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-100.b
• IS 700a http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
• S-130/L-180 https://onlinetraining.nwcg.gov/node/177
• S-190 https://onlinetraining.nwcg.gov/node/16
• Attend a field day to complete your training. 

Hiring paperwork will be completed the morning of the field day. Two forms of identification must be provided. (Driver’s License, Passport, Social Security Card, or Birth Certificate)

• Purchase wildland fire fighting boots.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must be a legal United State Citizen.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

For more information contact: Clay Stephens, 208-735-4608 

NEWS RELEASE

May 3, 2018

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 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 visiting http://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.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Sharla Arledge, Public Information Officer

(208) 334-0286 or pio@idl.idaho.gov

Firewise Plants and Landscaping

Using the right tool for the job is always important and the same goes for Firewise plants and landscaping. Find out more at http://idahofirewise.org/firewise-landscapes/firewise-plant-materials/

Hundreds of fifth graders learn about natural resources during Environmental Awareness Days

(LEWISTON) - Nearly 500 fifth graders from 18 schools near Lewiston converged at Hells Gate State Park this week for two days of fun and hands-on discovery about Idaho’s natural resources.

Forestry professionals from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) joined representatives from wildlife, air, water, and soil conservation agencies for the annual Environmental Awareness Days hosted by the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District.

Stations were set up along the river for students to learn from professionals about forestry, fire, fisheries, entomology, air quality, soils, wildlife, agriculture, and biocontrol.

The IDL instructors explained how the State of Idaho manages its forests to conserve soil, air, and water for the future through timber harvesting followed by tree replanting. They also explained the agency’s role in fighting wildfire, which can threaten water quality, air quality, and the health of other natural resources. Students got the chance to try on full fire gear and use radios to role play “calling dispatch.”

The Risk of Wildfire is Real

The risk of wildfire is real, and evacuation planning is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency situation. Create a Wildfire Action Plan for Your Home. Learn more at 

Happy Wildfire Awareness Month!

The month of May has been designated “Wildfire Awareness Month” by the Governor in Idaho in cooperation with other states across the west. During the month of May, local, state, federal and tribal fire response agencies are encouraging state residents do their part to keep human-caused wildfires from starting and to begin preparing for the upcoming fire season. Wildfire is a part of our environment in Idaho and we all have a very important role to play in keeping our communities safe!