(City of Pocatello Press Release, October 9, 2026)
The City of Pocatello has been awarded $4.84 million through the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant to reduce wildfire risk throughout the Portneuf Valley. As part of the project, the City and Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG) are hosting a free pop-up dump October 23, where homeowners can dispose of juniper limbs, sagebrush, and other natural, woody debris.
In partnership with High Country RC&D, Inc., SICOG, and other local agencies, the project will focus on reducing hazardous vegetation, improving wildfire preparedness, and protecting the community and public lands.
The pop-up dump will be held October 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sister City Park, located at Pocatello Creek Road and Satterfield Drive. Designated personnel will receive, chip, and dispose of material at no cost to residents. Limbs must be less than six feet long and less than seven inches in diameter. Only natural, woody debris will be accepted. Please do not bring trash, chemicals, rocks, lawn clippings, or other non-woody materials.
As wildfire seasons continue to grow longer and more severe, communities like Pocatello face increasing risks from dry vegetation, extreme weather, and development near wildland areas. This project helps reduce those risks through proactive vegetation management, homeowner education, and community partnerships.
If you are interested in fire mitigation and you live on the East Bench or West Bench of Pocatello, please feel free to contact us. If you wish to learn about how to protect your home from wildfires, how to identify wildfire risks, or community outreach options, you can learn more at cwdg-pocatello.hub.arcgis.com/.
For additional questions, please contact Grants Manager Christine Howe at 208-234-6184 or SICOG at 208-233-4535, or by email at landpartners@sicog.org.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho. Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.
