Idaho Department of Lands meet to discuss costs of wildfires

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Land Board of Commissioners received an update on fires in the state and their cost to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in Boise on Tuesday.

The board receives this information monthly during the fire season.

So far, the state has 180 human-caused fires and 112 lightning-caused fires, for a total of 292 fires. The total acres burned are 48,336.

IDL has three significant fires in their district: Chimney, Flat, and County Line.

The Chimney Fire is part of the mixed ownership controlled by the IDL.

“This is your current fire season update emergency of September 13 fire expression expenditures are estimated to be $51,132,500,” IDL Director Dustin Miller said. “The suppression account will recover an estimated $5,154,000 of reimbursable costs, for a net obligation of $45,798,500.”

This cost includes 2024 contracted aircraft and propositioned contract engines across the state.

Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.