1. Wildfire response plan detail

Boise National Forest officials will take comments through Dec. 10 on proposed wildfire-related restoration actions.

Work under consideration aims to mitigate 2024 fire impacts including safety hazards, potential soil erosion and repairing damaged infrastructure.

The forest and partners “experienced a truly challenging 2024 wildfire season,” BNF supervisor Brant Petersen said in a news release. More than 245,000 acres burned.

“This calls for a larger restoration effort than we’ve ever taken on, and one that requires a timely response,” he said.

Comments can be submitted electronically through the project website or mailed to forest planner Brian Lawatch at the forest office, 1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, Idaho 83709. Information: brian.lawatch@usda.gov or 208-590-3345.

Wildfire impact response proposals include:

•Remove fire-killed and damaged trees along roadsides to mitigate falling hazards and at sites of area salvage sales in select areas where burned trees are commercially viable.

•Reforest native trees.

•Rebuild forest infrastructure including bridge and road culverts, replace signs and repair damaged campgrounds.

•Deterring creation of unauthorized motorized routes that hinder natural vegetation recovery, spread noxious weeds and increase soil erosion.

•Working with grazing permittees on allotments to allow rest periods to ensure vegetation in burned areas can recover.