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(Boise, Idaho) No action will be taken on the matter of how to best manage endowment lands around McCall during the November 17 State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) meeting. However, there will be an informational update on the Idaho Department of Lands Payette Endowment Lands Strategy.

The concept is a result of internal guidance and historical plans, City of McCall comprehensive planning documents, other state endowment land plans addressing similar issues, and Idaho regulations and laws.

Land Board Meeting Details

 Tuesday, November 17, 9 a.m. (MT)

State Capitol, Lincoln Auditorium (WW02), Lower Level, West Wing

700 W Jefferson Street, Boise

The meeting will be conducted by virtual means; at least one Board member will attend the meeting at the physical location. The meeting is open to the public. Due to the Governor’s Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order, dated 11/13/2020, gatherings, including public meetings, are limited to 10 persons or less in physical attendance. Individuals are highly encouraged to watch online or join via teleconference.

The meeting will be streamed live at https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/

Members of the public may listen to the meeting via teleconference, using the following:

Dial toll-free: 1-877-820-7831

Enter passcode: 2479959, followed by the # key

The meeting will also be streamed live on the Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/IdahoDepartmentofLands

Agenda and other information is available at: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/about-us/land-board/

What is Idaho Endowment Land? At statehood, Congress granted Idaho endowment trust land for the sole purpose of funding specified beneficiaries, which are largely public schools. How the Land Board must manage these lands is also written in the Idaho Constitution. Article IX, Section VIII mandates that they will be managed “…in such manner as will secure the maximum long-term financial return to the institution to which [it is] granted.”

McCall Endowment Land: There is a continued need to evaluate and discuss the future of endowment lands within and immediately outside of the City of McCall’s growth and impact areas. While timber harvesting and cottage site leases and sales have been the most visible endowment land management approaches in McCall, new opportunities to generate income for the endowment beneficiaries are being considered.

The Land Board will also listen to another round of information from Trident Holdings, LLC and their proposal for endowment land in McCall at Tuesday’s meeting. This is also an information-only item, with no decisions being made at the meeting. The previous presentation proposed a land exchange for 28,000 acres of McCall endowment land.

The next dates to note for IDL’s strategy proposal are December 15, when the draft written plan will be presented to the Land Board. Public comments to the Land Board and an open comment period is planned for January 2021. A department finalization of the plan and presentation to the Land Board is not expected until late winter/early spring.

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CONTACT: Robbie Johnson, Public Information Officer, Idaho Department of Lands

208-334-0236/ 208-908-1786

rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov

(Boise, Idaho) –The Idaho Department of Lands and the USDA Forest Service are part of a shared effort in a literal sense. They are sharing staff, funding, and are joining with a governor-appointed advisory group committee to identify mutual priorities and cross-boundary forest management opportunities.

This group effort known as “Shared Stewardship” is taking place in many states, and Idaho’s “No Boundaries Forestry” approach is addressing more than 6 million acres of Idaho’s forestlands that are designated as “high risk” for potential catastrophic wildfire and insect and disease outbreaks. View priority areas: https://idl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2793eac74ba346af874be1542320e46b

New foresters have been hired, there is a statewide Shared Stewardship Coordinator, new dual-agency staff, and both agencies are dedicating annual funding toward the effort. The first two years have already shown progress, including these projects:

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

• The Buckskin Saddle project proposes to increase forest resilience to insects, disease, drought and the undesirable effects from wildfires. Especially important to local citizens is the reduction of hazardous fuels near private land, routes, and powerlines. This project has identified 19,686 acres of treatment with implementation scheduled in 2021. Fuels reduction treatments have occurred on over 38 acres of private land surrounding a small at-risk community on Lake Pend Oreille surrounded by National Forest land.
• The Scattered Lands project proposes to decrease hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk to people, private lands, and resources. This project will integrate fuels and harvest treatments in coordination with partners to maximize results. Approximately 6,960 acres have been identified for treatment with implementation to begin in fall 2021. In addition, federal grants will fund fuels reduction on almost 1,700 acres of private forestlands surrounding hundreds of homes over the next five years on private lands in Bonner County adjacent to the National Forest.

Payette National Forest, Granite Meadows Project Area

• Granite Meadows is in the early development stages and includes vegetation and recreation management and watershed restoration.  A key component of the project is to reduce the risk of wildfire and create a diverse and resilient landscape across jurisdictional boundaries. The project will incorporate commercial timber harvest and hazardous fuel reduction treatments that include prescribed fire, pile burning, and thinning across the National Forest.

Boise National Forest, Sage Hen Project Area 

• Proposed treatments will improve vegetation conditions and resiliency to uncharacteristic disturbances, restore watersheds, improve and manage recreational opportunities, and support local and regional economies.
• In an unprecedented tree-mortality event caused by a large outbreak of Douglas-fir tussock moth, cross-boundary salvage operations have removed dead and dying trees and large amounts of fuels on hundreds of acres on the Boise National Forest, on nearby private lands, and on the Packer John State Forest.

IDL staff, Forest Service managers, and Idaho Shared Stewardship Advisory Group members visited both the Sage Hen Project Area and the Packer John State Forest in south-central Idaho Thursday, October 29 to see the results of salvage operations. Download broadcast-quality video and photos of the tour at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/162bskp90kwmiwd/AABZzOVoWgJlnUrlwC5zX4J6a?dl=0

“It’s incredible to see how both agencies have handled the devastating Douglas-fir tussock moth outbreak,” said Ara Andrea, Idaho Shared Stewardship Coordinator. “We may have different land-use missions in a larger sense, but both IDL and the Forest Service share the goal of healthy forests, and in these examples have removed trees that were dying and susceptible to catastrophic wildfires.”

“Idaho continues to pioneer new, collaborative efforts to protect our citizens and communities from wildfire,” Governor Brad Little said. “Working with our federal partners, private landowners, and many others, the State of Idaho is embracing this innovative Shared Stewardship approach so we can make a meaningful difference in the health of our lands and water.”

This “No Boundaries Forestry” work also depends on the participation of private and industrial timberland owners. “Stimson Lumber’s mission is unique from state and federal land management, as we sustain an active-management policy for our industrial timberlands,” said Tyler Nimke with Stimson Lumber. “But we are dependent on how well-managed neighboring forestlands are when it comes to how resilient and protected our forestlands are. This is why Shared Stewardship is so valuable.”

Idaho’s Shared Stewardship Initiative efforts emerged as a result of collaboration between the State of Idaho and the USDA Forest Service in 2018. The initiative analyzes how to best focus federal and state resources on critically needed treatments on at-risk forests across ownership boundaries.

CONTACT: Robbie Johnson, Public Information Officer, Idaho Department of Lands

208-334-0236/ 208-908-1786

rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov

(Boise) – More than 96% of endowment land in Idaho is accessible by foot, watercraft or vehicle, with about 2.3 million acres available for hunting or other recreation.

Endowment land is different than public land: These lands are scattered across the state and are managed by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). The lands generate revenue, typically from timber sales and grazing leases, and help fund public schools, universities and state hospitals. In 2018 an agreement was made with Idaho Fish and Game to provide financial support for public access for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-based recreation on endowment land. Fish and Game’s payments to IDL helps ensure those lands remain open, but responsible use by the public is critical.

Help Preserve Access

• If you park near a gate, make sure there is room for emergency vehicles to pass.
• Help IDL keep the land productive by honoring closures and not making “new” trails.
• Reduce erosion by treading lightly on the land and avoiding muddy roads and trails.
• To reduce impacts to the land, keep Off-Highway Vehicles on established roads and trails.
• Dead animals should be disposed of away from streams and camping areas.
• Please take your trash home with you.
• Removing locks or destroying locked gates may result in further closures.
• If you use a warming fire, please put it out so it is cool to the touch before you leave. Wildfires are expensive and you are responsible for the bill if you start one. This year human-caused fires are responsible for 91% of acres burned on forests protected by IDL Fire Management.

IDL continues to provide access through trail construction and mitigation projects to guide recreation. Some areas may be temporarily closed to enable the effective operation of revenue-generating activities, to protect the public, and seasonal roads and trails. New signs are posted on endowment land to help with navigation and show rules and contact information.

Maps of endowment land can also be found at https://www.idl.idaho.gov/about-us/recreating-on-endowment-lands/.

The Coeur d’Alene Fire Cache is looking for able bodies to assist in a team oriented environment while refurbishing firefighting equipment from recent events.  Job duties include washing hose, frame tanks, boxing up supplies, loading and offloading trucks, pressure testing water handling equipment and much more.

Currently, hours are 7am – 7pm, 6 days a week, one scheduled day off per week, $16.00 an hour.  Experience driving a forklift is welcomed and must have a driver license.  Location: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.2020 Fire Cache Application

Apply today!  Complete the application and email it to careers@idl.idaho.gov.

(North Idaho) Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and our partners are responding to multiple fires in northern Idaho, and high winds are creating conditions for rapid fire growth.

Hunter 2 Fire: The fire is 1/2 mile northeast of Blanchard near the junction of Hunter Road and Highway 41. The fire has grown to approximately 500 acres and has crossed Highway 41 to the Stoneridge Golf Course area. Two large air tankers are helping to fight the fire as conditions allow.

Evacuations are being handled by the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office and are in place for the area of Blanchard Elk Road and Stone Road. Residents are being asked to prepare to evacuate the area. Additional resources have been ordered, including a Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Sunnyside Complex: This complex covers the Clover Fire and the MM 49 Fire. The Clover Fire, which is burning outside of Orofino is over 500 acres. Structures are threatened and some structures have burned. The fire started early this afternoon. The Clover Fire is west of the Whitetail Loop Fire, which was contained last week. The Clover Fire is about 4-5 miles long. The nearby MM 49 Fire is burning at 100 acres. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered for the Sunnyside Complex.

Dusty Fire: Evacuations remain in place for the Dusty Fire at Dusty Lane subdivision south of the town of Emida. The fire is currently 15 acres with heavy equipment on the scene. Air resources will be used when the weather allows.

Cliff Fire: Fire burning at Heyburn State Park. Size is 22 acres. Fire crews have succeeded in putting a dozer line around the fire. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has closed the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from the Plummer trailhead to the Heyburn State Park trailhead. The bike path inside the park is closed as well. People are asked to stay away from the area.

Challenges: In addition to the challenges posed by high winds causing extreme fire behavior, resources are limited because of the high demand for resources nationally. Also, aircraft use is limited in firefighting efforts during such windy conditions.

Evacuations: Local sheriff’s offices handle evacuations. Please contact your local sheriff for the latest. We will provide evacuation information as it becomes available.

Media Contact:

Robbie Johnson

Public Information Officer

Idaho Department of Lands

208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

About IDL Fire: 10 Idaho Department of Lands Forest Protective Districts and two timber protective associations are responsible for fire prevention and protection on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho.  IDL fire suppression efforts focus on initial attack.  The work of the IDL fire management program helps protect and preserve important endowment timber assets as well as millions of acres of private forestland. The program also enhances forest and rangeland management on state endowment trust lands and protects local communities from wildfire by reducing fuels.

8/31/2020 8:00am update
Fire is more than 300 Acres in size.
5 crews are currently working on the fire. Crews worked through the night. Type 3 team is taking over today at 10 am. Current levels of high humidity hopes to give firefighters an edge today. NEW HOPE is NOT threatened at this time. Fire is moving in the opposite direction.

(Orofino, Idaho) – A rapidly growing 50-acre fire is threatening structures and has already burned down two structures near the town of Orofino. The Clearwater Sheriff’s Office is evacuating some areas.

Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and rural fire are battling the Whitetail Loop Fire, on narrow roads and in steep terrain. The crews are currently trying to establish a division structure to organize and gain more resources to get a handle on the fire. A Type 3 team has been called in to assist.

A helitack crew, multiple engines and air support are currently on scene fighting the fire.

For evacuation information call the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office (208-476-4521). Report all wildfires to the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center (208-983-6800) or call 911.

For more information about the Whitetail Loop Fire, please contact the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information Line at (208) 334-0233.
The fire was reported August 30 at approximately 4 P.M.
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Media contact: Marin Sanborn, 208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

About IDL Fire: 10 Idaho Department of Lands Forest Protective Districts and two timber protective associations are responsible for fire prevention and protection on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL fire suppression efforts focus on initial attack. The work of the IDL fire management program helps protect and preserve important endowment timber assets as well as millions of acres of private forestland. The program also enhances forest and rangeland management on state endowment trust lands by utilizing fire as a management tool, and protects local communities from wildfire by reducing fuels.

The Copeland Fire is 10 percent contained, and crews continue to limit fire spread by keeping it in place over the 91-acre fire area. The fire activity in this forested location is moderate with mostly smoldering and isolated flames. However, there is still the chance of fire growth.

There is smoke around McCall, but it is mostly from fires in California. The smoke cover has helped moderate fire activity on the Copeland Fire.

Crews are working on full perimeter control. Current crews on the fire will be maintained to keep the fire from moving into continuous timber and becoming a long-duration event. Resources engaged in suppression actions include aircraft, engines, a dozer, and 220 firefighters. There is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team on the fire.

The fire is on Idaho endowment land approximately 5 miles east of McCall. No structures are threatened, but it is a popular recreation area. The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) continues to urge the public to be aware of and avoid the Copeland Fire area.

Boulder Lake Road is currently closed due to the danger of the fire, firefighter traffic, and aircraft dropping water and retardant. Please do not access these areas from Potter Lane, Paddy Flat Road, or other endowment, public, or private accesses, as this creates a safety issue for both the public and our firefighters.

For more information, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7024/

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Media Contact
Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO
(208) 908-1786, pio@idl.idaho.gov

(McCall) – Crews continue to work on limiting the spread of the Copeland Fire, and are keeping it in place over the 91-acre fire area. But they continue to be prepared for a possible increase in fire behavior in this forested area on Idaho endowment land approximately 5 miles east of McCall.

Additional ground crews are arriving today to assist. Crews are gaining on the fire line but are in tough country. Cooler weather conditions are forecast today with a chance of a few wind gusts this afternoon. Dry conditions are expected into Tuesday.

The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) continues to urge the public to be aware of and avoid the Copeland Fire area. No structures are threatened, but it is a popular recreation area. Boulder Lake Road is currently closed due to the danger of the fire, firefighter traffic, and aircraft dropping water and retardant.

Please do not access these areas from Potter Lane, Paddy Flat Road, or other endowment, public, or private accesses, as this creates a safety issue for both the public and our firefighters.

Resources engaged in active suppression actions include aircraft, engines, a dozer, and 220 firefighters. There is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team on the fire.

For more information, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7024/

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Media Contact
Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO
(208) 908-1786, pio@idl.idaho.gov

(McCall) – The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is urging the public to be aware of and avoid the area near the Copeland Fire, burning approximately 5 miles east of McCall on Idaho Endowment Land. It is 90 acres in size.

Boulder Lake Road is currently closed, and all recreationists are urged to avoid this area due to the danger of the fire, firefighter traffic, and aircraft dropping water and retardant.  Please do not access these areas from Potter Lane, Paddy Flat Road, or other endowment, public, or private accesses, as this creates a safety issue for both the public and our firefighters.

Resources engaged in active suppression actions include multiple helicopters, three engines, two dozers, and 140 firefighters including two hotshot crews. There is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team on the fire.

Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity made for moderate fire activity overnight and has allowed firefighters to gain ground, but a warming trend is forecasted through the weekend.

For more information, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7024/

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Media Contact
Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO
(208) 908-1786, pio@idl.idaho.gov