June 20, 2025
Protecting Idaho’s Lands This Wildfire Season
By: Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane
As summer begins, many of us head outdoors to enjoy the beauty of our great state. For many, this means exploring Idaho’s public lands through activities like camping, hiking, and enjoying campfires with family and friends. But in order to enjoy our lands, we must protect them.
This week, the Land Board that I serve on held our annual wildfire forecast briefing. We heard directly from experts about what’s ahead for Idaho this upcoming fire season. Since becoming Red Card certified as a wildland firefighter shortly after taking office, I’ve had the opportunity to visit active fire zones and see the impact of wildfires up close. I trained alongside our state’s incredible firefighter recruits in the field, seeing the teamwork, grit, and skill it takes to fight wildfires. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the firefighters who give up their summers so we can enjoy ours.
Over 70% of wildfires in Idaho are human-caused on state and private lands. It’s a sobering reminder that prevention starts with us. Whether it’s properly extinguishing campfires, securing trailer chains, or respecting fire restrictions, we all have a role to play in protecting Idaho.
Last year, nearly one million acres of Idaho burned. Fighting fire costs Idaho taxpayers between $20 and $70 million every year. But the real cost can’t always be measured in dollars. On a recent camping trip to Redfish Lake, I saw just how close the fire came to one of my favorite places on earth. It was a heartbreaking reminder of what’s at stake.
Our public lands are part of what makes Idaho such an extraordinary place to call home. Wildfires are destructive and costly, but they’re also largely preventable. This summer, let’s enjoy the best of Idaho while doing our part to protect it.
For updates and fire safety tips, visit idl.idaho.gov/fire-management.
Phil McGrane
ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
