STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
AUGUST SESSION AUGUST 19, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING
1:10 p.m. The board convened with Commissioners Skip Brandt, Mark Frei and Denis Duman and Kathy Ackerkman, Clerk present.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
David Groeschl and J T Wensman, Idaho Department of Lands, are present via telephone.
Lisa Klinger, Payette National Forest, introduces Tawnya Brummett, Acting Forest Supervisor and Sean Johnson, Fire Management Officer. Brummett thanks the Commission for scheduling the special meeting-advises that she recognizes that the information provided to citizens and the lack of communication with Idaho County and the Idaho Department of Lands was problematic-stresses that she is committed to improving in these areas going forward. Klinger provides background on how the fire started and the initial steps that were taken to address the fire. Klinger advises that the initial communications with the residents of Burgdorf was that the USFS was working to prevent the progression of the fire using wildland fire fighting tactics-discussion.
Johnson provides a copy of letter that was sent out in 2000 to property owners explaining what the USFS policy is on structures-explains the difference between structure protection vs. structure suppression-discussion. Johnson provides copy of the updated fire policy done in 2018. Julie Cantlon advises that they were afforded significant fire protection during the 2007 fire leading area residents to believe that this type of structure protection would be available again during this event. Johnson explains that there have been situations where protection was provided contrary to their policy-advises that they are not trained to handle structure fires and that there is significant liability if anything should happen.
David Groeschl, Idaho Department of Lands, provides an update on the structure engine that was provided by the Donnelly Fire Department-this was done through an agreement to bill the property owner directly for structure protection-discussion regarding the costs and the length of time the engine was onsite.
Johnson reviews other portions of the policy that address how structure protection mobilization occurs and how to move forward-discusses reciprocal agreements-these do not work within the County framework, which is why the reciprocal agreements are facilitated through local fire districts.
Groeschl advises that they are working on a letter to property owners to address what their agency responsibility is pertaining to structure protection. Discussion regarding FMAG emergency declarations and the formation of a fire district with the complication of the large number of recreational second homes.
Julie Cantlon questions the difference in number of recreational residences between the 2015 Clearwater Complex Fire near Kamiah and the Nethker fire-Brandt advises that the number of local residents in the Clearwater Complex Fire was significantly higher, approximately 90%. John Cantlon questions what they can do to facilitate better protection for their area-advises that they need some direction on ways to organize-discussion.
Brandt advises that he has been in contact with the State Fire Marshal, as well as working with Matt Jessup on statues regarding the formation of fire districts.
Klinger questions whether or not the Commissioners would be willing to come together with IDL and the USFS to draft a joint statement that could be sent out to various media outlets-Commission has no objection-will look forward to a draft.
Brandt questions whether or not a copy of the cost share agreement is available-Johnson advises that there are no cost-share agreements in place with any County in Idaho-advises that these agreements are really reciprocal agreements, therefore, no agreement would have been presented. Johnson advises that the only type of agreement with the County that might have been entered into would be an agreement with the Sheriff for Incident Command. Brandt questions whether or not Mr. Cantlon would be willing to carry the conversation forward with the other residents-Cantlon advises that he will act in this capacity.
Duman advises that he agrees that a joint statement early on would have been beneficial-discussion.
Cantlon questions whether or not salvage sales and/or logging would be possible for the area that has been hit twice in recent years-Johnson advises that the process for making this happen is lengthy, but they are working towards addressing this concern. Klinger advises that the area is being assessed for salvage-there are several criteria that have to be met-discussion.
Mike Cook advises that this same message needs to be distributed widely to other remote areas, such as Dixie.
Frei questions whether or not the area will be opened to more logging activity-Klinger advises she believes it will not-advises that salvage sales are problematic with little interest in the purchase, this is why the area has been set aside for free firewood. Brandt questions if citizens can take this inventory for other use. Klinger advises that they can take 8-foot lengths and some people are traveling a significant distance to take advantage of this option.
2:39 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Chairman______________________________ Attest:____________________________
