Idaho Falls District BLM employee honored with national award

Idaho Falls District Bureau of Land Management Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Kevin Conran was recognized Thursday with the Silver Smokey Bear Award. The award is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Advertising Council.

Caribou Targhee National Forest Supervisor Garth Smelser said the award recognizes sustained outstanding regional impact in wildfire prevention. “This award reflects a great deal of personal achievement,” said Smelser. “To me, it is also indicative of the successful, long-term partnerships that we share with agencies and departments throughout eastern Idaho. Kevin has been an integral part of building and maintaining those relationships.”

Conran was nominated by the Upper Snake Interagency Wildfire Group with support from the East Idaho Fire Chiefs’ Association and Gateway Interagency Fire Front, two multi-agency fire groups in eastern Idaho; the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forests; and numerous other local fire departments and their members.

Conran’s contributions included the development of Idaho BLM’s annual Fire Prevention Order, the coordination of a Fire Prevention Co-Op, the revitalization of Gateway Interagency Fire Front, the creation of Upper Snake Interagency Wildfire Group, realization of an Outdoor Explorer Program for children with special needs, and establishment of new and coordination of existing cooperative agreements among numerous local, state, and federal fire-fighting entities.

The award was presented to Conran by Madison Fire Department’s Dave Davis and Chubbuck Fire Department’s Merlin Miller.