Fire Education for Everyone in West Idaho
This is Southwest Idaho's web page for wildland fire education. Fire education specialists in this corner of the state provide educational opportunities for all ages! BLM employees attend schools and community events, and they work closely with Smokey Bear to make fire education fun for everyone. For more information, contact the Boise BLM, 384-3300.
Here are a few examples:
Boise BLM Fire Prevention Personnel Visit Local School
Boise BLM fire prevention personnel visited Kindergarten through third Graders at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Boise on October 13. The students were treated to a campfire safety demonstration and presented use of basic firefighting tools and personal protective equipment.
Boise District Fire Prevention Personnel Participate in Boise Hawks Fire Prevention Night
On June 24, Idaho BLM Boise District fire prevention personnel will attend the Boise Hawks baseball game to distribute fire prevention information before the game. Additionally, Smokey Bear will throw out the first pitch and give a fire prevention presentation. The Boise Hawks have hosted the fire prevention night for many years. The game gives fire prevention personnel the opportunity to get the fire prevention message out to a large group of people.
Smokey Bear hands a ball to a fan at the Hawks Baseball game.
Boise District Fire Prevention Assist at Weiser Fiddle Festival
Boise District BLM assisted Payette National Forest fire prevention personnel with staffing a fire prevention information station at the Weiser Fiddle Festival on Friday, June 24. The city of Weiser is surrounded by rangeland that is susceptible to wildland fire.
Warm Springs Mesa Recognized as Firewise Community
Warm Springs Mesa, a subdivision in northeast Boise, has been recognized as a Firewise Community through the Firewise Communities Program, which is sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team. To be recognized communities must:
-Enlist a wildland/urban interface specialist to complete a community assessment and create a plan that identifies agreed-upon achievable solutions to be implemented by the community.
-Sponsor a local board or committee that maintains the Firewise Community/USA program and tracks its progress or status.
-Observe a Firewise Communities/USA Day each year that is dedicated to a local Firewise project.
-Invest a minimum of $2.00 per capita annually in local Firewise projects. (Work by municipal employees or volunteers using municipal and other equipment can be included, as can state/federal grants dedicated to that purpose.)
-Submit an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA that documents continuing compliance with the program.
The Boise BLM Fire Mitigation staff along with personnel form the Boise Fire Department and the Boise National Forest have worked with the community for several years on fire mitigation issues, and they actively supported the community in its effort to achieve national recognition. Currently, Boise BLM Fire Mitigation and Fuels personnel are assisting the community in developing treatment options for lands in and adjacent to the neighborhood.
A homeowner works to make his home safe from wildfire. | 
One of the homes in the Warm Springs Mesa neighborhood. |
Boise BLM Addresses Foothills Neighborhood Association about Firewise Landscaping
Boise BLM recently presented a proposed Firewise landscaping demonstration project to the Central Foothills Neighborhood Association in Boise. The proposed project, funded through BLM Community Assistance, would identify willing homeowners who would like to improve their non-Firewise landscaping by removing and replacing it with new Firewise landscaping plants and materials. The demonstration sites would show homeowners in the area what Firewise landscaping looks like to encourage more homeowners to change the landscaping around their homes.
Questions about making your home safe from wildfire? Call the Boise BLM: 208-384-3300
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