‘No agency can do this alone’: Idaho officials address goals to mitigate wildfires
Idaho Gov. Brad Little offers recommendations state agencies and other federal and local stakeholders must take to mitigate wildfires at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise on Aug. 23, 2024. (Mia Maldonado/Idaho Capital Sun)
State officials Friday unveiled a new report, including new ideas for possible legislation, outlining 10 recommendations on how to reduce the impact of wildfires.
In front of a crowd of firefighters at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho Gov. Brad Little began the press conference discussing recommendations to state officials on what steps to take to reduce the impact of wildfires.
Some recommendations include:
• adopting legislation for wildfire liability standards for electric utilities
• developing a statewide mobile notification and evacuation plan
• coordinating wildfire detection cameras
• expanding Idaho’s fire information website that interacts with those detection cameras
The recommendations call on Idaho officials and the state’s congressional delegation to work with federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service to address permitting and liability issues associated with environmental impact statements and environmental assessments, which can be required for certain projects in the nation’s forests. State officials have argued for years that the requirements can slow down projects that would allow agencies to remove dry fuels and vegetation, which can cause larger, more catastrophic fires, through prescribed burns.
The recommendations also call for the state working with local government agencies to better communicate when residents should be ready to evacuate in the event of a fire.
“The notification tool should be mobile and be capable to receive notifications in areas with cellular coverage and in areas without,” the report states. “Evacuation plans should be developed and housed at each county’s emergency management office, and should address supporting individuals with access and functional needs. GIS solutions should be identified to quickly map evacuation areas and to identify values at risk within evacuation areas and to assist with communication of risk and recommended actions.”
The Idaho Department of Lands and the Idaho Office of Emergency Management have also been directed, under the recommendations, to reach out to and work with local fire authorities to develop a memorandum of understanding to better coordinate fire and mutual aid responses.