The Idaho Department of Lands uses social media to keep the public informed during times of crisis, such as during wildfire season, to share information our activities and services, and to provide the public an opportunity to engage with us.
You can find these posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. For those who do not use social media, a record of our posts is also here on this page. You are welcome to click on the posts to see how they appeared on social media.
Facebook Posts
Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), along with an Ada County Sheriff’s work detail, recently cleaned up a 31-acre parcel of endowment trust land east of Boise near Highway 21 and Gowen Road. The site, formerly the KOA campground, had been littered with debris left behind by squatters and illegal dumping.
Abandoned tires, mattresses, and other garbage piled up on the property, forcing IDL to spend more than $8,000 on cleanup and protective measures—funds that should have supported Idaho’s school children. The cleanup effort took several days and required multiple dump-trailer loads to remove the waste.
To prevent further issues, IDL has installed concrete barriers around the property to restrict vehicle access while still allowing foot traffic. New signage reinforces the prohibition on camping and dumping.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for doing this! No one likes it but it needs done!
Thank you for taking care of this! IDL has always been diligent and responsive taking care of state owned property.
Hate to think of what our parks will look like in a year or less with all the layoffs.
🤝Collaboration and teamwork on display! Have a safe assignment. We sure appreciate all that you do. 👏🏻👏🏻
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Saw your trucks passing through Wichita Falls Texas. Spoke to one and Thanked them. Again Thanks for sending help.
🚨 Think a wildfire isn’t possible right now? Think again! 🚨
#FirePreventionJen here to bust that myth! ❌🔥
Even with winter still sticking around, fine flashy fuels like last year’s dry grasses can ignite easily — and with a little wind, that spark can become a wildfire fast.
Before you light...
✅ Check if you need a local burn permit. IDL permits are not required at this time, but that doesn't mean your local municipality doesn't require one.
🌤️ Check the weather forecast. Lighting when windy conditions are possible is never advisable.
🧹 Clear a safe space around your burn pile or barrel, removing all ignitable material.
💧 Have water and tools ready — always stay in control of your burn.
⏳ Check your schedule — if you can’t stay with your fire until it’s out, don’t light it!
While it's a great time to get started on spring clean up or hazardous fuels mitigation projects, please be cautious with fire. Know your limits.
#FirePreventionFriday #WildfirePrevention #Together4Idaho
📸 Tyre Hofeltz, IDL Fire Mitigation Program Manager- Southern Idaho large scale pile burning in winter to reduce fuel loads after a juniper encroachment project.
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for the reminder! Last year's grasses stand stand tall and very DRY!
Glad Y'all voted for someone that just gutted your resources to help fight wild fires
Stop trying to restrict our rights to have fire leftys!!!!
🌲 #DYK the Idaho State Forestry Contest has been helping students sharpen their forestry skills for over 40 years? 🌲
Each year, students from across Idaho gather to test their knowledge in areas like:
🪵 Tree identification
🪚 Tool use and safety
📏 Timber cruising
🔥 Fire prevention and safety
The contest combines hands-on learning with real-world forestry skills, inspiring future natural resource leaders. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced competitor, there’s a place for you to grow!
Learn more at ➡️ idl.idaho.gov
Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District
#ForestryContest #IdahoForests #FutureForesters #ForestryEducation
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The Fireline 5k is now all virtual, but that doesn't change how fun and important highlighting our wildland fire community can be!
#NWFFD
National Interagency Fire Center
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🌲🔥 This #FirePreventionFriday, #FirePreventionJen is getting her hands dirty for a good cause! I spent time at the Idaho Panhandle National Forest Nursery helping plant whitebark pine seeds and tend young seedlings—part of critical reforestation efforts to restore this high-elevation species. #DYK it takes 2 years before these baby trees will be ready for the woods!
We’ve got plenty of work to do recovering from naturally caused wildfires—we don’t need human-caused fires adding to this burden! Every preventable fire steals time, resources, and effort away from our forests.
So do your part: Be fire-wise. Be responsible. Prevent wildfires. 🌲🔥
#WildfirePrevention #WhitebarkPine #IdahoForests
📸 Jen Russell, IDL
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🔍 Behind the Scenes at the Forestry Contest: The Fast-Paced Scoring Process! 🌲💻
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and fair competition? Our scoring team with the support of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) works at lightning speed to process over 3,600 individual scores in just 2.5 hours before announcing the winners! 🏆
Here's how it all goes down:
✅ Mid-April: Contestants are registered, teams are assigned, and color-coded labels are printed.
✅ May 7th: IT support sets up and tests the system to avoid tech hiccups.
✅ Event Morning (7:30 AM): Last-minute contestant adjustments are made.
✅ Scoring Begins: Tests are graded, scores are inputted and double-checked, and zero scores are physically verified.
✅ Reports Pulled & Winners Announced! 🎉
It’s a fast and furious process, but accuracy is key! 🔥 Thanks to our dedicated team and ITS support, we ensure every contestant gets the recognition they deserve. Hope to see everyone May 8th!
Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District
#ForestryContest #BehindTheScenes #FastAndFuriousScoring #Teamwork #STEMInAction
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🔥 #FirePreventionFriday with #firepreventionjen, and I want to do my part for Invasive Species Week too! #DYK invasive grasses like cheatgrass are wildfire troublemakers?
🌾🔥 These invaders:
🚨 Dry out fast and become highly flammable fuel
🚨 Spread like crazy, pushing out native plants that keep ecosystems stable
🚨 Make wildfires worse, creating a dangerous burn cycle
🔥 By knocking back invasive species, we reduce fuel loads, restore balance, and protect communities and wildlife habitats.
💡 Want to help? Be mindful of how you spread seeds! Clean your boots, gear, and vehicles after hiking, camping, or working in areas where these invasives are common.
National Association of State Foresters
#StopTheSpread #HealthyLandscapes #fireadaptedidaho
📸 Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
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🚁 IDL Lends a Helping Hand in the Fight Against Invasive Species! 🚁
Quagga mussels pose a serious threat to Idaho’s waters, clogging pipes, harming fish populations, and causing millions in infrastructure damage. When the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) needed help with a critical treatment effort near Shoshone Falls, IDL stepped up!
🔥 Fresh off fire duty, IDL’s contracted Type 1 helicopter and expert crew pivoted to assist with “Operation Boats and Totes”, transporting boats and industrial totes to an inaccessible island for treatment efforts. This all-hazards mission highlights how Idaho’s state agencies collaborate to protect our lands and waters.
👏 Special thanks to the IDL fire and aviation team, including Corrie Ivey, Julia Lauch, Randy Gaulrapp, Nate Clements, Blaine Fredrickson, and Hunter Lockhart, for making this mission a success!
💪 Protecting Idaho takes teamwork. Together, we can stop the spread of invasive species!
🔎 Learn more about the Quagga Mussel: www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/invertebrates/quagga-mussel
about this mission: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IDLANDS/bulletins/3b91104#photos
National Association of State Foresters
Idaho State Department of Agriculture
#NationalInvasiveSpeciesWeek2025 #StopInvasiveSpecies #ProtectIdahoWaters #IDLHelps #QuaggaMussels #AllHazardsResponse
2 CommentComment on Facebook
Sorry kids, the monster is loose and all you are going to accomplish is spending money. The rest is history MANY times over and over.
🛑 Stop Invasive Species Before They Take Root! 🌲
Not all threats to Idaho’s forests are here yet—and we’re working to keep it that way.
The spongy moth is a destructive defoliator that has devastated forests in the eastern U.S. Luckily, it’s not established in Idaho—and IDL’s Forest Health Team is working hard to keep it out!
Every year, our experts lead a statewide trapping survey to detect and eliminate any new introductions before they can spread. This proactive approach helps protect Idaho’s forests, wildlife, and communities from the costly damage invasive species can cause.
🔎 You can help! If you spot unusual tree damage or suspect an invasive pest, report it to IDL. Together, we can keep Idaho’s forests strong!
🌿 Learn more: www.idl.idaho.gov/about-forestry/forest-health/
National Association of State Foresters
#NationalInvasiveSpeciesWeek2025 #ProtectIdahoForests #StopSpongyMoth #ForestHealth
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🚨 In honor of #NationalInvasiveSpeciesWeek- let us introduce our fabulous Forestry Assistance Bureau (FAB)🌟
Insects and diseases don’t just threaten Idaho’s forests—they impact our economy, wildlife, and way of life. That’s why the Idaho Department of Lands works year-round to monitor, manage, and mitigate the effects of invasive species that weaken our trees and spread quickly.
🌲 Our Forestry Assistance Bureau provides landowners with the tools and expertise to detect and control forest pests.
🛑We take proactive steps to slow the spread and prevent new introductions of destructive pests like bark beetles and wood borers.
💰 Healthy forests mean a strong economy—protecting our trees safeguards Idaho’s timber industry and the communities that depend on it.
You can help! Avoid transporting firewood long distances, learn to spot signs of tree damage, and report concerns to IDL. Together, we can keep Idaho’s forests thriving!
🔎 Learn more: : www.idl.idaho.gov/forestry/insects-and-disease/
National Association of State Foresters
#ProtectIdahoForests #ForestryAssistance #HealthyForests
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for your hard work!
Do they use RV antifreeze in the white bottom bug catcher?
 Stop clear cutting and get the cattle out of our streams. 
Women in the Woods Workshop and Field Day are cancelled. We hope to bring this program back in the future! Please contact Isabella Valdez (ivaldez@idl.idaho.gov) or Audra Cochran (audrac@uidaho.edu) with questions.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Was this cancelled due to required cutbacks from the Whitehouse?