Idaho
State of Idaho facing $45.8M in estimated wildfire expenses this year • Idaho Capital Sun
With the state facing an estimated $45.8 million in wildfire expenses so far this season, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and other state officials are discussing the need to replenish the fund before next year.
During the last legislative session, the state pre-funded its emergency fire suppression fund at about $68 million, Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said Tuesday. Miller briefed Little and other state officials Tuesday during a meeting of the State Board of Land Examiners at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
So far this year, the state has spent an estimated $51.1 million, about $5.2 million of which is reimbursable costs, Miller said. That leaves the state on the hook for about $45.8 million so far.
“Here we are, mid-September, we’ve got rain,” Miller said. “Things are winding down, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet. But I’m confident that we will not go past that amount that’s been pre-funded. But certainly we would welcome any opportunity to have that conversation about pre-funding this suppression account again ahead of the next legislative session.”
The state may also incur other cost-share expenses for fires that are burning primarily on federal land but also include acres of state lands or other parcels the state is responsible for, Miller said.
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Idaho governor calls on federal government to do more to contain, manage wildfires
By comparison, the state’s net fire expenses a year ago in September 2023 were just $14.6 million, according to Idaho Department of Lands documents.
Little asked for updates on wildfire expenses Tuesday. He also expressed frustration that large fires burning on federal lands, such as the Wapiti Fire that has been burning near Stanley and Idaho Highway 21 since July 24, were not contained early and then became large wildfires.
“They have got to do more containment, and they’ve got to do more management,” Little said.
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One thing officials can do is cut and remove dead trees, Little said. During the meeting, Little said a small mill wanted access to dead lodgepole pine trees near Stanley, but was denied by the U.S. Forest Service.
“We’re going to have to make our case to the public about if they don’t like smoke and they don’t like mercury in the air and they don’t like fish habitat being destroyed, the Forest Service is going to have to up their game for management,” Little said.
The Idaho Legislature will decide whether to approve additional pre-funding for the emergency fire suppression fund once the 2025 legislative session convenes in January.
If the Idaho Legislature does not pre-fund the emergency fire fund, Idaho Department of Lands officials can still fight wildfires next year, but they would need to bring their bills to the Idaho Legislature after the fact in 2026 as supplemental requests or warrants.
“To the extent a move to pre-fund the (fire) suppression account can happen again, that would be very welcomed,” Miller told Little. “That provides us with that security that those funds are there. Otherwise, we still spend the money, but then go back and ask the Legislature to cover the bills for us, of course. So pre-funding is always a good idea.”
GROTON, Connecticut — Last week, the future USS Idaho nuclear submarine was delivered to the U.S. Navy at its facility in Groton, Connecticut.
The nuclear-powered submarine is set to be commissioned in spring 2026, sailing the world for the next 30 years.
Before it commissions this upcoming spring, the USS IDAHO crew will undergo training and mission exercises.
Virginia-class submarine program manager Captain Mike Hollenbach comments on how driven Idaho is in the military space.
“Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of shipbuilders, industry partners and Navy personnel to deliver the best undersea warfighting platform to the fleet.”
The future Idaho submarine will be the fifth Navy ship to be named for the state of Idaho. The first one, a wooden-hulled storeship, was commissioned in 1866.
PAUL, Idaho (KUTV) — Two bus drivers and four students were transported to hospitals in various conditions after a head-on collision between two school buses in southern Idaho.
Officials with the Idaho State Police said they responded to a crash near Paul in Minidoka County early Monday morning, extricating a driver from a bus.
Both drivers were airlifted to a hospital, and four injured students were transported by ambulance or car to local hospitals for treatment. Police believe the students’ injuries are not life-threatening.
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Two bus drivers and four students were transported to hospitals in various conditions after a head-on collision between two school buses in southern Idaho. (Credit: Idaho State Police)
Police said the crash occurred just before 6:15 a.m. on State Highway 25. There were a total of 17 students on the two buses, all of whom have been reunited with their families.
Officials did not release information on where the students attend school.
The crash comes just days after two school buses were hit by a pickup truck in central Utah, sending 18 people to the hospital and resulting in the death of the truck driver.
The majority of the Wasatch Academy students in the Utah crash have since returned from the hospital, according to school officials.
Utah officials believe the three-vehicle crash may have been caused by fatigued driving. The cause of the Idaho crash is still under investigation.
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Lottery players in Idaho can chose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, 5 Star Draw, Idaho Cash, Pick 3 and Pick 4.
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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 14 drawing
Day: 5-5-0
Night: 9-4-3
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Day: 0-6-7-4
Night: 3-3-2-6
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Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 14 drawing
08-23-32-33-34, Lucky Ball: 15
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Winning Idaho Cash numbers from Dec. 14 drawing
07-15-19-25-35
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When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- 5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
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Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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