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Committee adopts forest‑fire and hazard‑management rule updates after discussion on logger safety and on‑site suppression tools
Summary
The committee approved two Idaho Department of Lands dockets updating forest fire protection and hazard management rules. Lawmakers and the department debated on‑site suppression expectations for loggers, backpack pumps and no‑smoking signage during logging operations.
The Resources and Conservation Committee approved pending rule dockets updating Idaho’s forest fire protection (IDAPA 20.04.01) and hazard management/contractor provisions (IDAPA 20.04.02). Department staff described the edits as reorganizations, clarified definitions and reductions in restrictive language rather than creation of new substantive requirements.
Josh Harvey, chief of fire management for the Idaho Department of Lands, presented the forest fire protection docket and said the chapter was reviewed under Executive Order 2021 and republished after negotiated rulemaking in October 2023. "There are no substantive changes in the pending rule," Harvey told the committee while summarizing the rulemaking meetings, attendance and the department’s decision to simplify language and headings. Harvey said the pending rule reduced overall word count by 9% and restrictive words by 21% and that three non‑agency individuals attended the negotiated meetings.
Representative Raymond moved adoption of the forest protection docket and thanked the department for firefighting support after recent major fires in his district.
Committee members then discussed a related hazard‑management docket (IDAPA 20.04.02) also presented by Harvey. The item drew detailed questions about on‑site requirements for logging and cable‑assisted operations. Representative Miller and others asked whether measures such as clearing a scraped area and having a shovel are sufficient to control sparks from elevated blocks and cable systems. Harvey, drawing on his firefighting experience, described scenarios where elevated blocks can eject hot metal shards and argued that a backpack pump or a five‑gallon water bladder at the bottom of a logging unit can allow a rapid initial response to smoldering embers: "That actually gives you the ability to spray water up into that tree... By the time it gets established and it's moving through cut timber... the unit is gone," he said.
Committee members also raised the department’s language about smoking bans during high‑risk periods and whether portable no‑smoking signs are required of loggers; Harvey and committee members said the department would continue to refine guidance and implementation details.
Both dockets were adopted by voice votes. The department characterized most edits as organizational and clarifying and said it will continue to work with stakeholders on implementation details for on‑site suppression expectations and signage.
