Idaho BLM in Action

January 2007 

Idaho Governor Signs Agreement on National Fire Plan

Plan shows Idaho's continued dedication toward implementation of the National Plan

Idaho State Office. Former Idaho Governor Jim Risch joined a delegation of nearly one dozen state, federal and local agencies on December 12 in signing a revised Idaho Implementation Strategy for the National Fire Plan. The plan shows Idaho’s continued dedication towards implementation of the National Plan. Idaho’s strategy focuses on reducing fuels in forests and rangelands that are a wildfire hazard and on increasing the capability of local fire departments and districts that provide a front line defense on private lands where people live.

The revised Idaho Implementation Strategy establishes a collaborative partnership between the Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group and working groups organized at the county level. Idaho BLM is a participant in the Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group, which is a collaborative body composed of individuals representing state and federal agencies, counties, tribes, and non-governmental organizations. Visit National Fire Plan Website. (Contact: Leonard Wehking, 208-373-3851)  

Idaho Falls District Office Receives BLM's 2006 "Excellence in Ecosystem Management" Award

Award recognizes efforts in establishing programs in 18 counties to address wildland fire issues

Idaho State Office. The BLM National Office of Fire and Aviation recently presented the Idaho Falls District Office the BLM's 2006 "Excellence in Ecosystem Management – for Achievement in Community Protection and Assistance!" award. On December 6, 2006, Sarah Heide, a fire use specialist with the BLM Pocatello Field Office, accepted the award on behalf of the District at a ceremony in Sacramento, California.

The annual award honored the Idaho Falls District for working with its partners over the past five years to establish Community Assistance agreements with 18 Idaho counties and for moving forward on implementing the plans. Among the initiatives now underway are educational outreach, adoption of Wildland-Urban Interface fire codes for new residential construction, homeowner incentive programs and other citizen-based initiatives.

In a letter to Idaho BLM State Director Tom Dyer, NIFC Acting Deputy Assistant Director Tim Murphy states, "Congratulations on the selection of the Idaho Falls District Office for the BLM's 2006 'Excellence in Ecosystem Management – for Achievement in Community Protection and Assistance!' award. The Idaho Falls District Office is recognized for their efforts in collaborating with their area partners in establishing a nationally recognized program to address wildland fire issues in their communities."

Idaho BLM State Fire Management Officer Leonard Wehking said, "The Idaho Falls District runs a seamless, interagency program and has done so for years. With National Fire Plan funding, their list of cooperators has grown even bigger. Currently, their Community Assistance program administers an impressive 87 cooperative agreements. Chubbuck Fire Chief Merlin Miller once said to our State Office, 'With friends like BLM, we don’t really need any other assistance.' Statements like that show that Idaho Falls BLM has a big presence and is really stepping up to the plate to make a difference. The important adoption of a Wildland Urban Interface building code in Bannock County is one recent example of the effectiveness of this partnership's effort to protect our communities from wildfire." Read accomplishment highlights and list of partners. (Contact: Leonard Wehking, 208-373-3851)

Accomplishment Highlights

• Collaboration and outreach are the hallmarks of this program. Working with their community partners, this office has spearheaded the efforts to complete 18 county wide Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). These plans cover most of the Eastern Idaho area. The vegetation treatments and education projects identified in the CWPPs are prioritized and are citizen driven.
• Personnel from 51 city, rural and volunteer fire departments have been trained and hold Red Card qualifications for wildland fire fighting; these fire departments are active partners in working on Wildland-Urban Interface and wildland fires with the BLM.
• Bannock County has adopted a Wildland Urban Interface building code.
• In one example of innovative cooperation, the community of Atomic City has established a private-ground defensible space zone around their entire community. The vegetation in this zone is maintained by annual treatments.
• This office established a “community liaison” position to work with the counties to address two major issues: the need to protect the local watersheds; and to make sure future WUI expansion was done with wildland fire concerns in mind.
• Many contracts for fuels reduction projects were established with local businesses and individuals providing economic opportunities in rural communities.
• Working with students at Idaho State University, this office and their partners have completed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) wildland risk mapping project that was instrumental in the development of the CWPPs.
• Another example of innovation is a homeowner cost-share program that will pay for up to 50% of the cost of vegetation removal around homes.
• In a related outcome, there were 13 human caused fires that burned 765 acres in this District in 2006; a significant reduction in both numbers and acres over the past 5 years.

Partners

• 18 counties.
• 51 fire departments.
• 3 Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds).
• Idaho State University.
• Eastern Idaho Technical College.
• Idaho National Engineering Lab (INEL).
• Cub Scouts.
• Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Bureau of Reclamation.
• Gateway Interagency Fire Front.
• Numerous local businesses and individuals.

Southwest Idaho Council Presents Award to Boise District Fire Mitigation Specialist

Award honors wildland fire mitigation efforts in four-county area

Boise District Office. On December 15, 2006, the Southwest Idaho Resource Conservation and Development Council (Council) held its Annual Meeting and Sponsor Dinner. The Council presented BLM Boise District Fire Mitigation Specialist Bob Narus a Sponsorship Award for his efforts in wildland fire mitigation in Ada, Canyon, Elmore and Owyhee counties.

Narus administers an assistance agreement with the Council to implement fire mitigation projects in the four-county area. Projects completed through the agreement include Wildland Fire Mitigation Plans for each county and demonstration projects for residential wildland fire safety. Publication and distribution of county-specific wildland fire pamphlets will be completed by March 2007.

The Council is also assisting Elmore County with updating their zoning and development ordinance to include wildland fire mitigation measures. (Contact: Andy Delmas, 208-384-3401)

Salmon Field Office Completes Pile Burning

Burning carried out for Williams Lake and Gilmore Townsite areas

Salmon Field Office. The BLM Salmon Field Office completed approximately 250 acres of pile burning from mid-October to mid-November 2006. Local weather conditions were favorable to accomplish pile burning. The burning was carried out for the Williams Lake and Gilmore Townsite areas. Both project areas where identified in the Lemhi County Assessment and Mitigation Plan for treatment of Hazardous Fuel Reduction.

In both areas, Douglas Fir trees had been thinned and the material was piled. This work would not have been accomplished without the support from BLM suppression forces from the Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Boise districts. The Salmon Field Office appreciates the hard work and efforts of these individuals. (Contact: Steve Hartmann, 208-756-5410)

Boise National Forest Crews Conduct Work at West Antelope under an Interagency Agreement

Project continues a history of cooperation in the fuels program

Boise District Office. Crews from the Boise National Forest began slashing work at West Antelope on December 4, 2006. The purpose of the slashing is to create ground fuel to carry a prescribed fire planned for the fall of 2007. The West Antelope Project is located in the Idaho BLM Owyhee Field Office. Boise District fuels module leader Gaelon Gardner facilitated an orientation for Boise National Forest personnel during the week of November 27. This project continues a history of cooperation between the fuels program from the Boise District BLM and the Boise National Forest. This cooperation increases the capacity of work for both organizations. (Contact: Gaelon Gardner, 208-384-3470)

Twin Falls District Fire and Aviation Hosts Successful Rural Fire Department Training

Training near Twin Falls graduates 39 firefighters

Twin Falls District Office. Twin Falls District Fire and Aviation hosted two Rural Fire Department Training sessions November 18-19. A training held in Buhl, near Twin Falls, graduated 11 firefighters and another training in Hailey graduated 28 firefighters. The sessions were conducted by BLM Fire Operations staff and other fire specialists. The revised S-200 course, Initial Attack Incident Command Type IV, was taught and well-liked by instructors and attendees. (Contact: John Sabala, 208-732-7239)

Boise Interagency Dispatch Center Undergoes Improvements

New dispatch consoles to be operational in December

Boise Interagency Dispatch Center. Planning for replacement of the old system began over a year ago and is in the implementation phase. The aging equipment includes obsolete dispatch consoles and parts no longer being manufactured. Installation of the new console system, provided by the Boise National Forest, is scheduled to begin November 28. The new dispatch consoles will be operational in December. New furniture features state of the art ergonomic technology. In order to maintain service to the field, temporary radio consoles were provided by the Idaho Department of Lands, which were installed in separate room. In addition, dispatchers were temporarily relocated to minimize the disruption during removal of the old system. (Contact: Stephaney Church, 208-384-3380)

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For questions or comments regarding the Idaho BLM in Action Newsletter,
contact Kris Long at (208) 373-3913 or email Kris_Long@blm.gov