Before peak fire season arrives, Idahoans are encouraged to sign up for Wildfire Alerts from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). When fires approach a community’s doorstep, that isn’t the time to be searching for information.
IDL’s Wildfire Alerts system allows citizens to sign up now to receive alerts for wildfires near their community. The system covers more than 9 million acres of private, state and federal land IDL protects. Alerts are sent via SMS/text messaging or email for fires that exceed 10 acres or threaten structures.
IDL offers the Wildfire Alert system, bridging the gap between emergency notifications for evacuations sent by county sheriffs using platforms like Nixle and general wildfire information that the public commonly seeks.
“We are committed to keeping people informed about fires on the land we protect by sending out accurate and timely information. Our alert system allows people to make decisions based on fact and not rumor. We encourage folks to sign up and stay informed this fire season,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller.
The alerts, which are prepared by IDL’s cadre of highly trained fire information officers are also in real time to agency’s website.
So far there have been 56 fires started on IDL’s protection, burning nearly 150 acres with more than half of the fires being human caused.
Citizens and tourists planning to visit Idaho this summer can sign up to receive IDL’s Wildfire Alerts by visiting www.idl.idaho.gov/alerts.
