Governor, USFS chief say fire resources stretched thin + Lawmakers hear updates from state watchdog office

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“Every hose, every tool, every piece of protective equipment for every firefighter matters when these resources are stretched across multiple incidents.” - Idaho Gov. Brad Little, on the West’s active fire season

Crew 18 conducts mop-up operations on the Autumn Lane Fire, extinguishing remaining hot spots and securing the fire’s edge to prevent rekindling along the south eastern flank of the fire near the Little Spokane River. (Photo courtesy of California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 and the Washington Department of Natural Resources/InciWeb)

ENVIRONMENT

Idaho governor, Forest Service chief say significant wildfires are stretching resources thin

By Clark Corbin

Idaho Gov. Brad Little and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said Friday that firefighting resources are stretched thin as significant wildfires burn across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and much of the Western United States.

As a result, both officials called on the public to redouble its efforts to prevent wildfires as hot, dry weather continues to create conditions that add to the threat.

Fidget toys inside a therapy room at an Idaho youth residential facility. Idaho has taken a number of steps to improve oversight of youth residential facilities statewide. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Idaho lawmakers hear updates on efforts to improve children’s residential care, state 911 system

By Laura Guido

Idaho has taken several steps to increase oversight of facilities where foster children and other youth reside or get treatment. The actions stem from recommendations in an oversight report released last year, and the Legislature may consider additional changes next year.

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ENVIRONMENT

Health officials warn of harmful bacteria in North Idaho’s Fernan Lake, north end of Hayden Lake

By Valentine Termite

Officials from the Panhandle Health District, alongside the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, issued public health advisories warning of harmful cyanobacteria bloom in Fernan Lake and the upper end of Hayden Lake.

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Risch v. Achilles may be Idaho’s most active US Senate race in years. Here’s where they stand. | Laura Guido
All eyes on Flock as Idaho navigates surveillance technology across the state | Valentin Termite
New nuclear campus deal would require Idaho to accept, store spent nuclear fuel, radioactive waste | Clark Corbin
Wilderness in Idaho, the West is subject to review by Trump administration, Wilderness Society says | Clark Corbin
Western wildfire could be latest climate disaster to unsettle property insurance market | Alex Brown
Idaho AG releases list with 39 hazardous items facing federal recall, including 10 products for kids | Christina Lords
After contract dispute with East Idaho hospital, Legislature’s task force to study health insurers | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho Judicial Branch launches court records search tool | Abigail Gerstein

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

BoiseDev: ‘Our story is not finished’: In spite of natural disasters, political debates, growth, ‘Caldwell continues,’ mayor says in annual address
East Idaho News: It takes a village: Salmon residents hold ceremonial ribbon-cutting for new K-8 school
Local News 8: ‘Look elsewhere’: Solar farm ordinance rewrite draws ire of Bannock County residents for and against the ban
Sandpoint Reader: Sandpoint council votes to change paid parking policy
Shoshone News-Press: Shoshone County eyeing Opportunity Zone benefits

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