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Fire burns 105 acres in Bear Lake County – East Idaho News

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Fire burns 105 acres in Bear Lake County – East Idaho News


The following is a news release and photo from Idaho Fish and Game.

In the early afternoon on Tuesday, Oct. 15, a wildfire started on the Georgetown Summit Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in southeast Idaho’s Bear Lake County. The WMA is managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Due to dry fuel conditions, high temperatures, and moderate winds, the fire moved quickly along the west side of Highway 30 onto the WMA, moving along the northeastern slopes of the management area. The fire burned in a mix of shrubland and aspen/conifer tree stands.

Fish and Game personnel were on the scene that same afternoon, working with incident command and fire personnel who were the first to respond. Due to the quick action of county, state, and federal agencies and multiple air support resources, the wildfire was contained at 105 acres.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Idaho Fish and Game wishes to extend sincere gratitude to all the agencies involved in helping contain the fire and maintain public safety throughout the incident: Caribou-Targhee National Forest-Soda Springs and Montpelier Districts, Bureau of Land Management-Idaho Falls District and Pocatello Field Office, Idaho Department of Lands, Bear Lake County, Idaho State Police, and Idaho Transportation Department.

While initial reaction and photos of the wildfire might seem like a tough loss for Idaho Fish and Game, especially in the wake of a difficult fire season statewide, the fire-impacted area will actually yield benefits for wildlife. This is largely due to the fire’s smaller size, where it burned, and time of year in which it occurred.

“Fish and Game staff is looking at this recent event as an opportunity to reinvigorate this portion of Georgetown Summit WMA, specifically for our wintering elk, deer, and moose that frequent this area,” said Regional Habitat Biologist Maria Pacioretty.

“Species such as aspen will actually thrive and produce healthier, more productive trees in the years following a fire,” Pacioretty added. “Fish and Game staff will also work to rehab the burn area with seed mixes before the first snowfall and with additional plantings next year.”

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During the rest of October and into November, hunters and other visitors might see Fish and Game and Idaho Department of Lands fire staff and equipment working the fire area on the WMA. For everyone’s safety, the public is asked to please respect and avoid heavy equipment operations while they are occurring. Public walk-in access is still available on the WMA though no motor vehicle access is allowed past the parking lots.

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran


On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

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Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

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“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”





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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8


POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

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One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules


Idaho takes pride in being a no-THC zone. Unlike our neighbors on all sides, the Gem State has taken a firm stance not to legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational use for years. This opposition long extended to the legalization of hemp, a plant relative of marijuana with far lower levels of the intoxicating chemical […]



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