OPINION: They run toward the flames

Last week, a beautiful home on Hayden Lake was reduced to ashes. Within minutes, what began as a structure fire threatened to become something much worse as flames spread into the surrounding hillside. Thanks to the swift response of firefighters from multiple agencies, the wildfire was contained before it could spread to neighboring homes or into the forests surrounding Hayden Lake. No one was injured. That outcome was anything but inevitable, as reported in the Coeur d’Alene Press (⁠https://cdapress.com/news/2026/jun/20/fire-destroys-hayden-lake-home/).

Many watched from a safe distance. Firefighters did exactly the opposite. They ran toward the flames.

They climbed steep terrain. They battled a burning structure while simultaneously protecting nearby homes. They coordinated water drops from the air and fought a wildfire before it could gain momentum. It is difficult, dangerous work that most of us hope we never have to do. Yet every day, someone in our community is willing to answer that call.

This fire should also serve as a reminder of the season ahead. North Idaho experienced below-average snowfall this winter, leaving our forests and hillsides drier than normal as summer begins. Fire officials have already warned that we’re seeing fire behavior more typical of mid-July than mid-June. Whether the next fire starts from lightning, equipment failure, an accident, or human negligence, we know one thing with certainty: there will be more calls, more long days, and more moments when firefighters place themselves between danger and our communities. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Canfield Mountain tragedy, those realities carry even greater weight.

Nearly a year ago, firefighters responding to what appeared to be a routine wildfire were met with an unimaginable act of violence. Two firefighters lost their lives in the ambush. Another suffered life-altering injuries. They weren’t soldiers entering a battlefield. They were public servants answering a call for help.

That horrific day reminded us that today’s firefighters face risks that extend far beyond smoke and flames. They willingly step into situations that are unpredictable, physically exhausting, and sometimes tragically dangerous.

When we discuss local budgets, taxes, or public spending, it’s easy to think in terms of line items and percentages. But behind every fire district budget are real people who need reliable equipment, modern apparatus, protective gear, communications systems, training, and adequate staffing. Those investments aren’t luxuries. They’re the tools that allow firefighters and first responders to protect lives while giving them the best chance of returning safely to their own families.

Supporting our fire departments isn’t about politics. It’s about priorities.

Whether you live on the lake, in town, on acreage, or in the mountains, emergencies don’t check property values, party registration, or ZIP codes. Firefighters show up for everyone. They ask only where the fire is and who needs help.

In a region like North Idaho, where rapid growth meets dense forests and increasingly challenging fire seasons, well-equipped fire departments are not optional. They are essential infrastructure every bit as important as our roads, bridges, and schools.

The next time you see an engine roll past with its lights flashing, remember that someone inside is leaving dinner unfinished, missing time with family, or stepping into harm’s way on behalf of complete strangers.

That’s a level of service worthy of our gratitude. It’s also worthy of our continued support. The men and women who run toward the flames deserve more than our applause after the smoke clears. They deserve the resources necessary to keep protecting the place we all call home. It’s the Idaho way.

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Becky Funk is a member of North Idaho Republicans and former Legislative District 4 Republican Chair.