IDAHO FALLS, Idaho- The Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District transferred a surplus wildland fire engine to the Hamer Fire Department today, part of BLM’s effort to respond to rural wildland fires by giving excess equipment and supplies to local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations.
Under BLM’s new Rural Fire Readiness program, local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations that meet certain requirements may receive at no cost wildland fire engines, pumps, hose, chainsaws, hand tools and other items the BLM no longer needs.
“We appreciate the assistance of our local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations in wildland firefighting in eastern Idaho," said Joel Gosswiller, BLM Fire Management Officer at Idaho Falls District. “The Rural Fire Readiness program allows us the opportunity to augment their response to wildland fires safely and effectively."
The Hamer Fire Department has assisted on several wildland fires over the years, most notably the Grassy Ridge Fire, eastern Idaho’s largest fire in 2018. They assisted on the Table Butte Fire Tuesday, 5 miles east of Camas, which was contained at 806 acres at 9 p.m.
“The Rural Fire Readiness program helps both the BLM and Hamer respond to local wildfires," said Scott Jacobs, Hamer Fire Chief. “This engine upgrades the Hamer Fire Department’s program and we will put it to good use."
Last year, eastern Idaho had 141 fires that burned 133,957 acres. The BLM works closely with other federal and state agencies, local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations to respond to wildland fires.
Photo #1: Left to right: Scott Jacobs (Hamer Fire Chief), Joel Gosswiller (BLM Idaho Falls District Fire Management Officer), Joe Slagowski (Hamer Fire Department), Mary D'Aversa (BLM Idaho Falls District Manager),
Photo #2: Includes the Slagowski brothers (future firefighters) up front
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
