1. Program detail

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District has transferred a heavy engine to the Notch Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association, and the price was right — free.

Notch Butte, comprised of ranchers and others who are trained as wildland firefighters, helps to protect more than 341,000 acres of private, state and federal lands north of Twin Falls, Idaho. The association was formed in 2016.

Twin Falls BLM’s District Fire Management Program transferred the Type IV engine — with a capacity of 750 gallons of water — and additional hoses, hose fittings and tools.

“Our ability to transfer an engine to our rangeland fire protection association partners is truly a force multiplier when it comes to wildland fire suppression,” Twin Falls District fire management officer Brad Sawyer said in a news release. “Our partners enhance our ability to suppress wildland fires that threaten communities, property and natural resources in south-central Idaho.”

The engine was transferred at no cost to the association under BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness program, which enables qualified local wildland firefighting partners to receive training, engines and other equipment that the bureau no longer needs.

For the past several years, the engine was used in Burley, Jarbidge and Shoshone field offices within the Twin Falls district, and on multiple out-of-state assignments across the West, according to the district.