Fire agencies prepare for wildfire season
With fire season just around the corner, federal, state and local fire agencies joined together for training in Pocatello. They are all part of the Gateway Interagency Fire Front. Today’s goal was not only to train, but also to get to know one another.
“We can all work together at getting our communication solid so we’re all on the same page when we respond to a fire,” said Kelsey Griffee, fire information officer for BLM. “Doing some wildland firefighting tactics, so practicing hose lays, how we strategically fight the fire so that as an interagency group, we’re working together.”
Today’s training also included radio communication, firefighting tactics and structure assessment. The Bureau of Land Management says there are ways locals can help out when fighting a real fire.
“We need homeowners to do their part too,” Griffee said. “And they can do that by creating defensible space around their homes. Junk the juniper. You know, clear that defensible space so that when a wildland fire approaches it doesn’t have fuel to continue.”
Despite today’s rainy conditions, fire season will be here soon. The BLM is not only preparing with training, but some rules too.
“It’s gonna get hot and dry,” said Griffee. “The BLM has implemented its annual fire prevention order. Which means we don’t allow exploding targets, fireworks or tracer ammo on BLM lands right now til October 20th.”
BLM says 60 percent of last year’s wildfires in Eastern Idaho were human-caused. They encourage everyone to follow their rules and be careful to help prevent wildfires this season.
