The Blair Fire, sparked by lightening scorched nearly 40,000 acres near Glenns Ferry.
Local ranchers responding to the fire were asked to leave due to liability concerns by the BLM.
A fire that may have been held to a few acres, rapidly exploded in size.
2012
During the winter, several Mountain Home ranchers contacted the Idaho Department of Lands and the BLM about working together to stop wildfires.
Using a private-public partnership model developed in Oregon, the agencies helped the ranchers form Idaho’s first RFPA, the Mountain Home Rural Fire Protection Association.
The Scout Fire that summer was the first test of the collaborative RFPA effort to build rangeland firefighting capacity.
2013
House Bill 93 was unanimously passed by both chambers of the Idaho Legislature, codifying under Idaho Code 38-104B the framework for RFPAs to operate in Idaho.
Four new RFPAs were formed: Black Canyon RFPA, Owyhee RFPA, Saylor Creek FRPA and Three Creek RFPA.
2014
The Saylor Creek and Three Creek Rangeland Fire Protection Associations earn the prestigious Pulaski Award for their accomplishments during the 2013 fire season.
2015
The Shoshone Basin RFPA was formed.
2016
Two new RFPAs were formed: Camas Creek RFPA and Notch Butte RFPA.
2017
The Henry’s Creek RFPA was formed.
2019
In his first State of the State address, newly elected Governor Brad Little praised RFPAs for their initial attack and the vital intelligence they provide.
