Gov. Otter surveys fire destruction on private trip

The Charlotte Fire drew resources from all over the state, and on Tuesday, it brought in one more.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter flew in to Pocatello to survey the damage caused by the fire that started last Thursday.

Otter said he doesn’t have any answers yet on how the state might help to pay for the disaster, but said he’s been looking into state resources that might be available, and is finding ways to help people apply for federal assistance.

Tuesday’s visit was quick, and Otter didn’t end up talking to any of the people who lost a home.

Otter’s plane touched down on the tarmac at Pocatello Regional Airport, and the governor deplaned quickly, walking in to a flurry of friendly handshakes from the local police and politicians.

After a quick debriefing, he tore off toward Mink Creek, up into the area hardest hit by the fire, and the governor lauded the response.

“As you drive down those roads, the side roads and everything, and you see beautiful homes on one side and absolute devastation on the other side. You have to know that there are a lot of professionals with a lot of dedication that really took that disaster to hand,” Otter said.

After driving up and down Caribou Drive and Charlotte Drive, the governor’s caravan finally settled at the top of a ridge, where Otter got out to survey the damage. He urged the 66 displaced families to stay in the area and rebuild.

“They’ve got something very valuable here,” Otter said about the community’s spirit to come together and help.

And though the governor stopped to look on, and promised that he would try to find state and federal resources to help pay for the disaster, he didn’t stop to shake anyone’s hand. Otter said he wanted to protect people’s privacy.

“We had quite a few folks (in the caravan) and we just thought at the time, with the time restraint that we had, and the amount of folks that we had to speak to the folks through your availability here,” Otter said.

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said that the privacy was requested by the victims at a recent meeting.

“What they told me — it wasn’t anti-governor or anything else — ‘Just give us some time,’ and I agree, 100 percent in that decision,” Nielsen said.

In the end, everyone agreed that first lady Lori Otter got it right.

“Idaho’s greatest resources and Idaho’s greatest treasures are her people,” she said.

Fire Chief David Gates said that during Wednesday Fourth of July parade, people from the local supporting agencies are invited to march with the Pocatello Fire Department. The local crews will be carrying buckets and boots to collect money for the victims.

Otter said he will be planning another visit to Pocatello to visit with victims.