BOISE — Governor Brad Little held a press conference Friday to update Idahoans on the state’s proactive approach to wildfire prevention, as devastating blazes continue to engulf parts of Southern California.
“The devastating southern California fires are heartbreaking, and we continue to pray for the many families impacted,” Governor Little said. “However, the extent of the damage is, unfortunately, not altogether surprising. The decisions of California’s elected leaders have made many places in the Golden State unsafe to live. The opposite is happening in Idaho. We are strategically and proactively reducing fire risk and ensuring Idahoans’ property is covered.”
Governor Little highlighted progress since the release of Idaho’s first-ever Wildfire Report last summer. The report included 10 actionable recommendations for improving wildfire prevention and response, many of which have already been implemented.
The governor pointed to recent legislative efforts by the Idaho Department of Insurance to stabilize the property insurance market, improved fuel management in utility corridors, and strengthened interagency coordination with “first” first responders, including ranchers and loggers.
The Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources awarded grid resilience and wildfire risk mitigation project grants to electric utilities to minimize disruptions in energy delivery and save Idahoans money in the event of a fire. Photo shows poles wrapped in mesh to protect them from fire damage.
Little also unveiled new proposals as part of his upcoming $100 million-plus budget for fire prevention and suppression, including:
- Early detection technologies, such as satellite and camera systems, to catch fire starts quickly.
- Enhanced aviation resources to speed up response times and bolster the state’s firefighting capabilities.
- Firefighter bonuses to attract and retain personnel.
- A plan to replenish the Fire Suppression Fund, which was drained during the severe 2024 wildfire season.
Little also praised President-elect Donald Trump for appointing Idahoan Mike Boren as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Last summer, I called out the feds for not putting out wildfires more aggressively,” Little said. “The State of Idaho LEADS on fire and forest management where the feds have failed. With his appointment of an Idahoan to such an important position, President Trump is showing the rest of the country that, once again, what Idaho is doing on land and fire management is working, and we want to help the feds better manage their lands and firefighting efforts to better protect our people.”
As wildfire risks remain a growing threat across the West, Little reaffirmed Idaho’s commitment to staying ahead of potential disasters.