Department of Lands requests staff, one-time funds as governor recommends major transfers to fire-suppression fund

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that it needs additional staff and one-time spending for wildfire response and forest management, while the governor recommended large transfers into the state's fire suppression deficiency fund and a $1 million firefighter bonus pool.

Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst for the Legislative Services Office, reviewed the department's budget package and told the committee the Department of Lands' requests include multiple ongoing and one-time enhancements focused on fire and forest programs, plus funding tied to the Timber Protective Associations (TPAs). "The department is requesting approximately $5,700,000 in budget enhancements and 79% of those budget enhancements are 1 time in nature," Jessup said.

Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, said the department's priorities reflect a multi-year modernization of its fire program and growing workload. He described three requested positions in the FY2026 packet: a fire emergency support program manager, a fire aviation section manager, and a statewide forest assessment program manager; the package also includes…