Department of Lands seeks staff, one‑time spending and larger fire fund transfers as wildfire costs rise

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee it needs new staffing and funding to manage growing wildfire costs, expand forest programs and sustain firefighting capacity.

Janet Jessup of the Legislative Services Office presented the Department of Lands budget and described multiple dedicated funds that support department operations, including a continuously appropriated fire suppression deficiency fund used to respond to large wildfire spending. The governor recommended large transfers to the deficiency fund in the current and next year: a $60,000,000 supplemental transfer in the current year and a $40,000,000 transfer to the fire suppression deficiency fund for FY2026, as presented to the committee.

Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, told members the department currently projects about $35,800,000 in the suppression account but noted outstanding invoices and cost shares that could reduce available funds. “If we do not receive the additional funds that's being…