May 2015 Wildfire Awareness Month
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security News Release
For immediate release, May 1, 2015
Contact: Elizabeth Duncan (208) 258-6595 or (208) 866-5969
eduncan@bhs.idaho.gov
May is Wildfire Awareness Month in Idaho
(Boise) A declaration signed by seven western state governors, including Idaho Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter, designates May 2015 as “Wildfire Awareness Month.”
According to Predictive Services experts at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), unseasonably dry and warm weather in the Great Basin over the last several months, including lower than normal snowpack, could increase the fire potential in portions of Idaho. Fire season in Idaho generally runs from May to October. Even a small wildfire during any of those months has the potential to cause the loss of life and significant damage to property. “Wildfire Awareness Month” provides residents with the opportunity to learn how to best protect their homes and communities from wildfires.
A new website created by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands makes finding information even easier when it comes to keeping your family, home and community safe. The Idaho Fire information blog https://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com/ includes information on fire restrictions, burn bans, burn permits and current fire weather, along with helpful prevention, education and safety information; a one-stop shop for up-to-date Idaho fire information. A link to the site can be found on the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security website www.bhs.idaho.gov
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the 2014 fire season was below average in terms of occurrence; however, the number of acres burned was far above average. During that same period, human activity ignited more than 130 fires that burned more than 8,400 acres, further underscoring the importance of citizens being knowledgeable about how to prevent fires.
# # #
Note to reporters: The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is the State of Idaho’s emergency management agency. Please note that IBHS is an Idaho-specific agency, and it is not the same thing as the federal Department of Homeland Security. Within the State of Idaho organizational chart, IBHS is aligned under the State of Idaho Military Division.