Author: Tristan Lewis
FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Gwen Fire in Idaho
July 26, 2024
NR-R10-24-016
FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Gwen Fire burning in the Nez Perce Reservation and in Nez Perce and Latah counties, Idaho.
The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:23 a.m. PT. He determined that the Gwen Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the second FMAG declared in 2024 to help fight Idaho wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Juliaetta, Myrtle, Arrow Junction and Lenore and the city of Lapwai. The fire also threatened private and nonprofit public utilities and critical community infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public businesses and recreational areas.
FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $985,111 will be available to Idaho through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Texas Fire in Idaho
July 17, 2024
NR-R10-24-009
FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Texas Fire burning in Latah and Nez Perce Counties, Idaho.
The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 8:50 p.m. PT. He determined that the Texas Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in 2024 to help fight Idaho wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the community of Kendrick. The fire also threatened several cell towers, radio towers, private transmission lines, and agricultural assets in the area.
FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $985,111 will be available to Idaho through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
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Follow FEMA Region 10 on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
Idaho Braces for Above-Normal Wildfire Season: How to Stay Safe
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predicts Idaho and neighboring states will see above normal wildland fires potential now through the end of September. While wildfire season has become a year-round event in areas, the chances of significant wildfires are greater than usual around the state and region during these next few months.
Wildfires can threaten people, homes, and natural resources. It is crucial for everyone to prepare and know what to do, especially during this heightened wildland fire potential period, in case a wildfire strikes their community. The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) encourages Idahoans to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones.
Prepare for Wildfires
- Stay Informed: Sign up for and stay up to date for local alerts, such as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), and monitor air quality alerts. Follow local news outlets and state and local government social media channels to stay updated on the latest news and events.
- Make a Plan: Make sure your household knows evacuation procedures. Be sure to create and review evacuation plans for offices and schools, and practice evacuation drills regularly.
- Know Your Evacuation Zone: Identify multiple evacuation routes and conduct evacuation drills with household members.
- Strengthen Your Home: Utilize fire-resistant materials, identify outdoor water sources with hoses, establish a 30-foot fire-resistant zone around homes, and designate sealed rooms for smoky conditions.
- Gather Supplies: Stock up on essentials in a go bag, including a first aid kit, non-perishable food, water, phone charger, pet supplies, medication and N95 masks for smoke protection. Keep the go bag in a place that’s easy to remember and access in case you need to evacuate your home quickly.
- Review Important Documents: Keep insurance policies and identification documents up to date and maintain digital copies in secure locations.
How to Stay During a Wildfire
- Stay Informed: Pay attention to emergency alerts and notifications for information and instructions.
- Be Ready to Go: Evacuate immediately and safely when authorities tell you to do so.
- Check with local authorities for the latest information about public shelters or check open locations on the FEMA app. You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency app for a list of open Red Cross shelters in your area.
- Have a plan in place to stay with family or friends where you may be safer and more comfortable.
- If Trapped: Call 9-1-1 and give your location but be aware that the emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
- Smoke Preparedness: Use an N95 mask to protect yourself from smoke inhalation or limit your exposure. Learn more about staying safe in smokey conditions.
Staying Safe After a Wildfire
- Wait for Clearance: Do not return home until authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Drive Safely: Watch out for broken traffic lights, missing street signs, and trash or debris on the road.
- Protect Yourself: Stay away from hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
- Protective Clothing: Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy thick-soled shoes, during clean-up efforts.
- Monitor Air Quality: Check your local air quality at airnow.gov or on your phone’s weather app. Use a respirator to limit your exposure, and wet debris to minimize breathing dust particles. People with asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions should take precautions in areas with poor air quality, as it can worsen symptoms.
- Take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke. Smoke can stay in the air for days after a wildfire ends.
- Document Damage: Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
- Communication: Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
By staying informed, prepared, and resilient, people can significantly reduce the risks associated with wildfires to reduce the risks associated with wildfires and protect themselves and their loved ones.
For more information on preparing for a wildfire event, visit the following resources:
Cybersecurity Focus of the Month: Oversharing
Odds are that you have recently seen something posted to social media and commented in surprise “I can’t believe someone posted this online!” This all-too-common occurrence happens to everybody who uses social media. Unfortunately, this includes cyber criminals that troll social media sources looking for this information to use for their own devious purposes.
Merriam-Webster defines the act of posting too much information online as “Oversharing.”
For example, if you post pictures and stories of your first pet, this can be used to reset a password that uses “Name of your first pet” as a validation question. As well, if you post a video during vacation, and it is liked by a loved one, a scammer can contact them pretending to be you and get them to send money as part of a deepfake scam.
Idaho Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) recommends when posting to social media to take a second look and ask the question, “What could a very bad person do with this?” Also, next time when you see a post by someone close to you and think, “I can’t believe that somebody posted this online,” consider letting them know that they may have overshared.
Protect your social media accounts
Steps to take to protect your information include:
- Avoid oversharing online. Protect your critical information and ensure your family and friends don’t post personal details.
- Check the privacy settings and use the highest privacy setting available.
- Be selective of friend and connection requests. Avoid communicating with strangers online.
- Turn off location settings and avoid check-ins, especially in real time.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious messages, links or posts.
- Report concerns. If you see something, say something.
- Use strong, complex passwords for all your accounts and two-step authentication, when available.
For more information on oversharing and tips to protect you and your information, please visit these resources:
Celebrate Safely: Four Safety Tips for the Fourth of July Holiday
BOTHELL, WA– With extreme heat events on the rise across the country this summer, FEMA reminds everyone to prioritize safety while making holiday and summer plans. You should exercise caution for any outdoor events and celebrations involving fireworks, grilling, or campfires, because these popular summer activities can also pose a fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause an estimated 31,302 reported fires in the United States each year. Furthermore, with extreme heat serving as the leading weather-related cause of death, any outdoor summer gathering can become deadly.
During wildfire season, it is important that residents proactively plan and prepare for the holiday and summer weather. FEMA encourages you to follow a few tips to stay safe:
- Leave the work to the professionals and enjoy the show! Attend a public display of fireworks in your community to reduce the risk of injury. If you decide to use consumer fireworks, follow local regulations. Thousands of individuals are injured by fireworks each year on the Fourth of July –and children and teens are more likely to be among this group. Educate young ones on fireworks safety ahead of the holiday and ensure there is always adequate adult supervision during festivities.
- Location, location, location. Map out and plan your outdoor adventures and gatherings by prioritizing safety. Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs, or anything that can burn. Place your barbecue grill away from any overhanging branches, eaves, siding, or deck railings. Follow grilling fire safety guidelines and maintain a 3 feet safety zone around the grill to keep children and pets safe.
- Know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Monitor the weather and take extra precautions during extreme heat-related events. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Become familiar with the signs of heat-related illnesses and practice caution when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stay hydrated and seek shade. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Seek shade to take breaks and cool down while having fun in the sun.
Visit ready.gov for additional tips on how to beat the heat and practice fire safety. FEMA wishes you a happy and safe Fourth of July and summer.
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Follow FEMA Region 10 on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
IOEM Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 21, 2024
Contact: Tristan Lewis
(208) 803-5216
tlewis@imd.idaho.gov
IOEM Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
BOISE, ID – As National Lightning Safety Awareness Week approaches, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) urges all Idahoans to take precautions to stay safe and informed about the dangers of lightning. This year, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week runs from June 23 to June 29.
Lightning is a powerful and often underestimated natural event. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in the United States, an average of 33 people are killed and 182 people are injured each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.
Lightning also poses significant risks to property and the environment. In Eastern Idaho, 47% of wildfires between 2000 and 2020 were caused by lightning. These fires often occur during dry seasons, increasing risk and danger.
Idaho experiences its share of lightning hazards, with the Vaisala Corporation reporting 845,469 lightning events in the state in 2023. High elevation areas are particularly prone to lightning strikes.
Safety Tips Before, During, and After Thunderstorms:
Before Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- Know Your Risk: Thunderstorms can happen year-round and at any hour. Be aware of your area’s risks.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for community warning systems and listen to Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio alerts.
- Prepare Your Property: Trim trees that might fall on your home and consider installing surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system.
During Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors: Seek shelter in a building immediately.
- Indoor Safety: Avoid using plumbing or landline phones, as electricity can travel through these systems. Unplug appliances and other electric devices.
- Water Safety: If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find grounded shelter immediately. If necessary, seek shelter in a hard topped car, but avoid touching anything metal inside the vehicle.
- Flood Safety: Avoid flooded roadways. Remember, “Turn Around Don’t Drown” – just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep away your vehicle.
After Thunderstorms and Lightning:
- Stay Updated: Listen to authorities and weather forecasts to determine when it is safe to go outside. Suspend outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
- Report Hazards: Watch for and report fallen power lines and trees immediately.
IOEM encourages everyone to create and review safety plans and educate family members about the precautions to take before, during, and after a thunderstorm. By staying informed and prepared, we can build a safer, more resilient Idaho.
Stay Safe, Stay Informed: Managing Wildfire Smoke
As we settle into wildfire season, the smoke from these fires is a growing concern for Idahoans, especially as fire seasons become longer and more intense. Understanding the health risks associated with wildfire smoke and preparing accordingly are important steps in protecting yourself and your loved ones, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.
Wildfire smoke contains harmful substances, including fine particles and toxic gases, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing a range of health problems. To minimize exposure and protect health, implementing effective strategies is important.
- Monitor Air Quality: Stay informed about air quality conditions using tools like the Air Quality Index (AQI) or your phone’s weather app. If authorities advise staying indoors, follow their guidance.
- Keep Indoor Air Clean: When indoors, keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke from entering. Use air conditioning with recirculation mode instead of evaporative coolers, which can bring smoke inside. Consider using portable air cleaners with high-efficiency filters to reduce indoor particle levels.
- Reduce Indoor Air Pollution: Avoid activities that can increase indoor air pollution during smoky periods, such as smoking, using gas stoves, burning candles, or using aerosol products.
- Create a Clean Room: Designate a room in your home with minimal indoor pollution sources to keep smoke and particle levels as low as possible during wildfire smoke events.
- Use Respirator Masks: If you must go outside during smoky conditions, especially if you have pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions, wear a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator mask to filter out smoke particles.
- Stay Informed and Proactive: Remain proactive by adjusting your activities based on air quality reports. Air out your home when air quality improves temporarily and be prepared to limit outdoor activities during periods of poor air quality.
By taking safety measures and staying informed, Idahoans can better manage the challenges presented by wildfire smoke and prioritize their health during fire season. Early preparation and proactive measures can significantly reduce the health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure.
For more information, check out these resources:
President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration for Idaho
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 12, 2024
Contact: Tristan Lewis
(208) 803-5216
tlewis@imd.idaho.gov
BOISE, ID – President Joe Biden has approved the State of Idaho’s Major Disaster Declaration to help three Idaho counties and areas affected by a severe storm in April that brought substantial damage.
The counties covered in the Presidential Disaster Declaration include Idaho, Lewis, and Shoshone Counties. Conditions from the April 14-15 severe storm included flooding, landslides and mudslides. A Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM), and local representatives in April confirmed the total damage across the three counties surpassed $6.6 million.
“The approval of the Presidential Disaster Declaration request is a crucial step toward helping the affected areas rebuild and recover from April’s severe storm,” said Governor Brad Little.
The President’s approval authorizes public assistance federal funding, such as the Public Assistance (PA) Program, to the state, local, and tribal governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides in the three counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide, such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Grant Program provides funding to state, local, and tribal governments to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild to reduce or mitigate future disaster losses in their communities.
“The spring flooding wreaked havoc, causing devastating damage in these areas,” said IOEM Director Brad Richy. “This funding will be critical for infrastructure repairs. IOEM is committed to working alongside FEMA to support local jurisdictions’ recovery efforts and help them rebuild stronger.”
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The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The women and men of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.
Idaho’s GIS Role in Next Generation 911
The Northern Rockies Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) held its annual Intermountain Geographical Information Systems (GIS) conference in Post Falls, Idaho on May 12. The event served as a platform for GIS professionals statewide to dive into the latest trends and technologies shaping their field. Among workshops and seminars, was a discussion on the importance role of GIS in the transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911) capabilities presented by Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) 911 Program Manager, Eric Newman.
NG911 represents the pinnacle of emergency response technology, offering quick and dependable services to citizens in need. Operating on an Internet Protocol (IP) based platform, NG911 supersedes traditional hard lines, and better addresses cellular telephone calls. Given that cellular calls can originate from any location, the ability to precisely locate the caller becomes important. With Idaho leading the nation in cellular-only households, the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission is working to implement NG911 statewide.
GIS professionals play an integral role in NG911 effectiveness. The data curated by GIS personnel contains crucial information concerning response districts, cellular user data, and most importantly, the precise location of the caller, down to a few feet. Accuracy is crucial, as even the slightest discrepancy in data can impede telecommunicators from swiftly and confidently pinpointing the incident’s location.
While NG911 has yet to be fully realized in Idaho, a team within the Idaho Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) is leading efforts to standardize data statewide. Once all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are equipped with the requisite connectivity and programming, location-based routing will be activated within a mere five seconds. Coupled with IP-based data capabilities, telecommunicators will gain the ability to pinpoint calls to specific rooms within large buildings—an advancement from the past practice of identifying addresses. As well, callers will have the capability to transmit video and photos, facilitating more effective communication of their needs.
“GIS is the backbone of our mission to enhance emergency response in Idaho. Every map, every data point is a step forward in ensuring our citizens receive the help they need, when they need it,” said Newman. “Together, we’re charting a course towards a future where Next Generation 911 sets a new standard for safety and security across our state.”
Despite the considerable planning required to implement NG911 statewide, the ITS GIS team diligently works to create a foundation for these needed public services.
Good Password Hygiene
Earlier this year, a record setting personal data breach being hailed as the Mother of all Breaches (MOAB), exposed 26 billion individual personal records discovered by security research firm SecurityDiscovery.com.
The compromised information is known to contain data from past breaches as well as new data. The breach contains user login credentials and other sensitive information that is valuable to malicious actors.
Malicious actors will use this information to attack other accounts from compromised users. Attackers will try to use compromised passwords to see if they were reused for more high value accounts like email or banking. Attackers are also likely to send many more phishing attacks and spam emails targeting compromised people.
In order to best protect yourself, the Idaho Office of Technology Services (ITS) and the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) recommend practicing good password hygiene. This is the most effective method to reduce the risk of your compromised user login information being exploited to access your accounts.
Password Hygiene Best Practices:
- Use passphrases. Passphrases are a sentence-like string of words that contains a mixture of uppercase, lowercase, and special characters that is easy to remember but hard to hack.
- Don’t reuse passwords or passphrases. Use a unique login for every online account you own. This prevents an attacker from gaining access to all your accounts with minimal effort.
- Use a password manager program. These are applications that store all your passwords in an encrypted database for easy use, can assist in generating new, unique passwords, and sync them across all your devices. A much better idea than a sticky note.
- Frequently change all your account passwords. Recommendation for password rotation is every 90 days. If that seems too frequent for you, try rotating passwords at least once a year on all your personal accounts.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. Most users are already familiar with MFA for their bank or work accounts. This protects accounts from compromise by forcing users to provide their passcode along with a code. Typically, this is provided directly to a user’s cell phone via a one-time passcode or a phone application that pushes a request asking for approval to the device’s screen.
In addition to these best practices, ITS and IOEM encourage individuals to take part in annual cybersecurity training to be informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and to improve comprehension of how to remain safe online.