In cooperation with the Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests, the High Country Resource Conservation & Development, Teton County Fire District, Kearsley Trees, Inc. and Teton County Soil Conservation District, the Idaho Falls District BLM hosted a “Rural Living Workshop and Field Day” in Victor, Idaho on August 13. More than 100 local residents attended presentations regarding defensible space, firewise landscaping, weed control, tree pruning techniques, available assistance programs and information regarding mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Smokey Bear made an appearance, a free barbeque lunch was provided and door prizes including free trees were provided by Kearsley Trees. (Contact: Kevin Conran, 208-524-7602)

Working with homeowners in Teton County, ID.

Smokey greets kids in Teton County.

Pocatello Officials Meet with Land Owners Impacted by Drive-In Wildfire

On August 31, 2011, the BLM Pocatello Field Office, in conjunction with Bannock County and the City of Pocatello, held an informative meeting for land owners impacted by the recent Drive-In wildfire. The wildfire, which started August 15, destroyed a house and about 1,300 acres of public and private land through the hills in southeast Pocatello, Idaho. At the meeting, officials from the BLM, City of Pocatello and Bannock County discussed the continued rehabilitation efforts and emergency stabilization concerns from run-off weather events into drainages that may potentially affect land and property below the fire area. They also presented a short overview of the fire stabilization efforts and ongoing planning, and they discussed the potential risk of soil and ash erosion in the event of a storm. Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said this was a great opportunity for the public to ask questions and gather information from all the key players. Two 8-year-old Pocatello boys playing with matches have been charged with third-degree arson for the fire.