Idaho
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FIRE Up for Summer!FIRE Up (Field Inquiry Research Experience) is a three-week summer course for high school students designed to help them learn about wildfire behavior, its effect on ecosystems, and minimizing rural communities’ susceptibility to fire. To prepare for field research, students are taught how to gather quality data and master the use of tools and techniques. Instruction is provided in plant identification, the use of technology such as Global Positioning Systems, and various software for recording data. Then, students travel to designated field locations where they conduct hands-on research and data collection to create a comprehensive report, which is then used by public land agencies in land management practices. Students can earn college credits for this course. Click here to learn more about this program or contact the Idaho State Office BLM at 373-4000.
Local Students to Study Foothills, Work to Prevent Wildfires BOISE—On August 3, 2009, the Skate Park Fire burned in the foothills just north of Eagle, Idaho, near a local skate park, future Velodrome bicycle racing track, and the Ada County Landfill. The fire, likely started by fireworks, quickly burned through a valuable foothills recreation area, threatened nearby homes, and challenged firefighters before they stopped the blaze at 205 acres. Now, almost one year later, high school students from this year’s F.I.R.E. Up for Summer course are going to study the area and examine nearby homes for their susceptibility to wildfire. The students will collect data on invasive weeds, soil erosion, and plant recovery to determine how the burned area is recovering from last summer’s burn. They will also examine a nearby neighborhood for its susceptibility to wildfire and will provide their findings to homeowners. Homeowners will be able to use the information to make their homes safe from wildfire. “There will always be wildfire in the foothills because it’s a part of our ecosystem, so it’s important for all of us to work together to preserve this valuable landscape,” says Don Major, Fire Ecologist with the BLM. “These students will be able to provide some valuable data that we can use to make this area healthy again,” he adds. What is F.I.R.E. Up? This summer, the City of Eagle, Ada County, and the BLM, along with State Farm Insurance, have partnered to promote a Field Inquiry Research Education program called F.I.R.E. Up for Summer. F.I.R.E. Up enlists high school students to conduct valuable field research, as well as educate homeowners about how to protect their property from wildfire. The F.I.R.E. Up program is now in its seventh year. Thanks to Northwest Nazarene University, F.I.R.E. Up allows high school students to earn college credits by collecting data and completing research projects about wildfire. F.I.R.E. Up Research projects help students learn about wildland fire behavior, its effect on natural ecosystems, and what can be done to minimize rural communities’ susceptibility to wildfire. The program also encourages students to get outside, learn about and enjoy Idaho’s beautiful outdoors. State Farm Insurance became a partner in F.I.R.E. Up in 2008, because the program supports fire safety, youth, and the importance of education. “State Farm is a proud supporter of the F.I.R.E. Up program; it empowers high schools students to make a real difference in their community by conducting research to limit the damages and hazards caused by wildfires,” adds Boise State Farm Agent Phil Drick. The students will also work with the Healthy Hills Initiative, a group started by scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ada County, Ada Soil & Water Conservation District, Environmental Conservation Services Incorporated (ECS Inc.), and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), along with the City of Eagle and Eagle Fire Department. The group was formed after the 2009 wildfire burned the popular recreation area. The scientists wanted to work together to restore the burned vegetation and implement fuels reduction projects that will allow firefighters to control future wildfires in the foothills and throughout Idaho. “Ada County is happy to support the FIRE-Up program,” says Ada County Commissioner Rick Yzaguirre. “As a member of the Healthy Hills Initiative, preserving our foothills for wildlife, recreation and educational purposes is a high priority to Ada County.”
BLM Participates in Sixth Annual Field Inquiry Research Education Program Idaho State Office - During June 2009, BLM teamed up with the City of Boise, State Farm Insurance and Northwest Nazarene University to promote the 2009 F.I.R.E Up for Summer class. This year, the students studied the Boise Foothills. The students surveyed the Boise Heights neighborhood and the hills nearby to educate home owners about protecting their homes during a wildfire. Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan says the research and the public education presented by F.I.R.E. Up will be critical to fire prevention planning for the city’s wildland-urban interface. “Many Boise neighborhoods face a unique and serious threat from wildfire,” said Chief Doan. “Finding out just where the risk is highest, then educating those homeowners on what they can do to help us protect them is going to be very valuable.” Northwest Nazarene University partnered with the program to allow the students to earn college credits while collecting data and completing research projects about wildfire. Research projects help students learn about wildland fire behavior, its effect on natural ecosystems, and what can be done to minimize rural communities’ susceptibility to wildfire. State Farm Insurance became a partner in F.I.R.E. Up in 2008, because the program supports fire safety, youth, and the importance of education.
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BLM Idaho Environmental Education Volunteers
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