BLM and Partners Join Community to Make the Salmon Firewise Garden a Reality

BLM and Partners Join Community to Make the Salmon Firewise Garden a Reality

Many hands have been getting dirty in the Salmon Firewise Garden. Thanks to a partnership with the Salmon School Garden and the Lemhi Regional Land Trust, the BLM and Idaho Firewise are spreading the Firewise message to the community of Salmon, Idaho.  

Salmon is no stranger to smoke-filled skies. Due to its topography and fuel conditions, residents living in areas like Salmon are at a higher wildfire risk. In 2018, this area experienced 43 wildfires, which burned 59,565 acres. 

For communities like Salmon it’s important for residents to understand their risk of wildfire and how they can defend their home. Firewise is a national, multi-organizational initiative designed to involve homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers and others in the effort to protect homes and businesses from the dangers of wildland fire. The Salmon Firewise Garden aspires to educate children, adults and organizations on Firewise principles.

The Lemhi Regional Land Trust purchased the Salmon School Garden June 9, 2017. This ensured the Salmon School Garden Project a permanent home and invited students to dig in the dirt and stay connected to the area’s agricultural heritage.

The BLM has taught Leadore students fire ecology and behavior at the Garden and plans to continue being a guest teacher. Everyone is welcome to visit the Salmon Firewise Garden and learn how to have a beautifully landscaped yard while reducing your home’s risk of ignition from a wildfire.

The Salmon Firewise Garden is an ongoing project. More plants will be added annually and informational displays will be installed next spring. Stop by and enjoy the garden when you’re in the area!

To learn more about Firewise visit, www.idahofirewise.org. 

Fireworks in Idaho - Know Before You Light!

Fireworks in Idaho - Know Before You Light!

EASTERN IDAHO- The Fourth of July weekend is around the corner, and the desire to buy and light fireworks is growing. Firefighters in eastern Idaho urge Idaho residents to use fireworks legally, appropriately and wisely.

Every summer, improper use of fireworks is responsible for multiple wildland and structure fires. Last year, Idaho Falls District BLM law enforcement officers seized hundreds of illegal fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday. Two years ago two homes in Pocatello were significantly damaged in a matter of minutes from illegal fireworks. Three years ago the Rapid Creek and Henry’s Creek fires burned nearly 53,000 acres due to illegal fireworks. 

As the Fourth of July nears and the weather turns hotter and drier, please use “safe and sane” fireworks in gravel or asphalt areas away from vegetation and buildings. Safe and sane fireworks or “non-aerial common fireworks” remain near the ground and do not travel outside a 20-foot diameter. Safe and sane fireworks include cone fountains, sparklers, wheels and whistles.

Other fireworks, typically aerial ones, are illegal to shoot off in Idaho. Aerial fireworks present a huge risk for causing wildfires. While these kinds of fireworks may be purchased legally, Idaho law makes their use illegal. Illegal-use fireworks include bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, missiles, parachutes, sky flyers, display shells and aerial items.

Always follow applicable fireworks regulations, including:

·    Fireworks are only authorized for use during specific times of the year. Check local ordinances for dates you can use fireworks.

·    Possessing and/or using fireworks on federal public lands (Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service) is strictly prohibited.

·    Anyone misusing fireworks can be held liable for damages. Damages often include the costs of putting out the fire. 

Certain areas, like Johnny Creek in the Pocatello area, prohibit fireworks due to the high risk of wildfire. Never light fireworks on a windy day and fully extinguish them with water before disposing of debris.

For more information, contact your local fire department.

Regulations can be read in entirety at Idaho Statutes Title 39 Chapter 26, NFPA 1123, and Forest Service 36 CFR Title 261.

Please, don't fly your drone near a wildfire!

You see smoke, maybe flames, firefighters, fire engines and aircraft. Your curiosity is activated. You have a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System), commonly known as a drone. You want a better look at what is going on over there. Please DO NOT launch your drone to investigate. This could be fatal, you could end up killing someone and it is against the law. Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighter(s) to extinguish a fire. Doing so can result in a significant fine of over $20,000 and potential criminal prosecution. Be smart and don't fly your drone anywhere near a wildfire. No amount of video or photos are worth the consequences.

Drones interfere, endangering people involved with wildland fire aircraft operations such as air tankers, helicopters and other firefighting aircraft necessary to suppress wildland fires. These aircraft maintain close radio communications with each other while in the air. Aerial firefighting missions including aerial supervision, air tanker retardant drops, helicopter water drops, rappel operations and smokejumper para-cargo missions occur between ground level and 200 feet above ground level. The same altitude many hobbyist drones fly and our aircraft cannot communicate with the hobby flier. Often a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is put in place around wildfires to protect firefighting aircraft.  No one other than the agencies involved in the firefighting effort can fly any manned or unmanned aircraft in such a TFR.

Last year, 2018, the National Interagency Fire Center Reported 28 UAS incursions during active wildland fires. In almost every instance, aviation operations were affected. When a drone is spotted, aircraft immediately cease firefighting operations and land for safety. Even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with aircraft.

Firefighters working on the ground who rely on these aircrafts are left without help from above jeopardizing their safety. When aircraft are grounded due to an intrusion everyone in the path of the fire is endangered. Firefighters or others could be injured or a fatal accident could occur. This prolongs firefighting operations and often wildfires become larger when aircraft are not able to drop fire retardant, water, monitor wildfires from above, or provide tactical information to firefighters. Homes and other values at risk could burn needlessly.

Every time aircraft are grounded during a UAS interference, it compounds the cost of fire expenses and adds costs taxpayers have to endure every time fire managers are forced to stop the operation. Halting firefighting actions can increase firefighting costs quickly by paying for aircraft that can't be used, increasing risk and damage to infrastructure and increasing the size of the fire, just to name a few.

For more information on Forest Service Policy and Hobby or Recreational Use of UAS on National Forest System Lands visit:

www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-system

Twin Falls District BLM Annual Wildland Fire Preparedness Drill Day 🔥

More than 80 returning and new firefighters practiced different scenarios to prepare for fire season. The scenarios included a hose lay, search and rescue, fire shelter deployment and a medical emergency.

These drills are designed to prepare new firefighters for what they might encounter during the season as well as refresh returning firefighters. The drills provide them with the practice they need to do their job safely and effectively. 

Fire Weather Awareness Week - What is a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch?

What is a #redflagwarning or #fireweatherwatch? 

@BLMIdahoFire and @NIFCfire work together to provide an answer to that question and a preseason outlook on the predicted #fireweather for the upcoming #fireseason. Lets all be #FireWeatherAware this summer!

Media Advisory
Twin Falls District, Idaho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     Contact: Kelsey Brizendine, (208) 732-7315

June 5, 2019

BLM fire preparedness training exercise

SHOSHONE, Idaho -The Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fire Management program is conducting wildland fire preparedness drills at Devils Corral, north of Twin Falls.  The purpose of these drills is to prepare fire crews for the upcoming fire season. Members of the media are invited to attend the field exercise Tuesday, June 11, at 11 a.m.

For more information or if you are interested in attending the exercise, please contact Kelsey Brizendine at 208-732-7315.