News & Events

Due to the Extreme Fire Danger and the current high level of need for equipment on wildfires in our region, Inland Forest Management will be offering the Annual Wildland Fire Refresher RT-130 4-hour training (in-person) on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021 in Ponderay, Idaho.

The class will be held at the Ponderay Event Center (401 Bonner Mall Way, Suite E, upstairs above Selkirk Glass and Cabinet, near Sandpoint Furniture). This is also the same place that the ALC (Associated Logging Contractors) holds their first-aid classes in Ponderay, Idaho. This class is required annually for all personnel that work on wildland fires. Refreshments will be provided.

Classroom training will begin at 1 p.m. Pacific Time and end by 5 p.m. You must be presesnt for the entire period in order to receive credit for the class. Sign in will be required. Work capacity fitness testing (walk test) will be offered after the classroom portion of the training for those who need it. The afternoon format was selected in efforts to minimize interruptions with work schedules in conjunction with Stage II fire restrictions.

This class will be sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands at no cost to participants.This is offered in efforts to provide a pathway for private contractors to receive the required training needed to assist with wildland firefighting efforts during this period of extremely dry weather. For questions or to RSVP please e-mail IFM@inlandforest.com or by phone at (208) 263-9420.

We would like to get an idea of how many folks will be attending so Please RSVP. It will also help to get the names of attendees ahead of time in order to ensure the correct spelling of names for their certificates. A certificate of completion will be issued to each of the attendees and sent out following the training.

Note: These classes are conducted in collaboration with the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho, and qualify for 4 credit hours for the Idaho Pro-Logger program.

ALC-Idaho is hosting a Logging First Aid and Safety class at our Coeur d’Alene office from 8 a.m. to noon June 21. OSHA and the State of Idaho Logging Safety Regulations require that all workers in the woods participate in Logger First Aid & Safety Training every year. This class is also a required component of the Idaho Pro-Logger continuing education program. Register here: https://members.idahologgers.com/ev_calendar_day.asp?eventid=62&evreg1=2&t=&testmtype=&pub=1

The Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (PNASH) has compiled resources to help manage work fatigue and sleep.

“Even on typical work days, forestry jobs closely match the work of first responders,” PNASH shared on their blog. “Staying alert and strong is key to staying safe, but it isn’t easy. Especially with long days, traumatic incidents, fatigue, and a slew of stressors to manage.”

Here are some trusted resources from PNASH:

• Long Work Hours and Fatigue Training: A guide from CDC/NIOSH
• Fatigue Management: BC Forest Safe offers strategies for log hauling and log camps such as shift scheduling and driver support.
• Fatigue Management Guidelines for the Forest Industry: From WorkSafe Victoria is a comprehensive guide on causes of fatigue, recognition of symptoms, and assessment of risks.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: CDC’s ‘‘Topics’ list links to an extraordinary catalog of practical guidance ranging from chemical spills, to natural disasters, to stress and fatigue.
• Total Worker Health Resources: Employers will find toolkits and trainings to bring to their teams, including fatigue and stress management, safety climate, workplace policies, employee well-being evaluation.
• Sleep Disorder Facts and Healthy Sleep Tips: If sleep is the concern, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s educational arm has excellent resources.

Every fall, many forest landowners gather up branches/slash from logging activities and burn large piles. However, some make the mistake of assuming that the fire is completely out, when in fact the remaining unburned material may smolder for months under winter snow.

It is extremely important to be sure your pile is out: Go back and check the piles for heat. The pile must be cold to the touch. Large piles of unburned material may need to be moved around to ensure the fire is completely out. Remember, people may be liable for the cost of fire suppression if their fire gets out of control.

Already this year there have been reports of those still-smoldering piles catching flame. That, combined with unusually dry conditions for this time of year, is creating a serious wildfire risk with fires already occurring as a result.

More about at-risk piles: Large piles of tree materials that were pushed together by bulldozers or other types of equipment are especially at risk of smoldering and catching flame because the dirt and rocks may cover partially-burned tree material, allowing it to smolder without visible evidence. Snow cover can further insulate the pile, creating a slow-cook heat within the pile. Once the snow melts and the material dries out, the smoldering heat can catch flame and spread to other areas. The attached photos from this spring near Bonners Ferry in North Idaho are examples.

If you are doing any burning: Burn permits are required May 10 – October 20 each year. They are free. They are not required for campfires.

Who needs a permit: Idaho law (38-115) requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, to obtain a state burn permit during this period, referred to as closed fire season.  A burn permit must be obtained before starting debris burning activities and you must have it with you when burning. Other laws related to open burning in Idaho also apply. Permits are free and good for 10 days. Campfires do not require a burn permit.

How to get a burn permit: Visit the self-service website burnpermits.idaho.gov.  Permits are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. No matter where you want to burn and what you plan to burn, the system will either issue you the burn permit you need on the spot or tell you which entity to contact for alternate or additional permits. A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office.

About IDL Fire: Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management (IDL Fire) in partnership with two Timber Protection Associations and with the support of rural volunteer fire departments and other partners, are responsible for fire suppression and prevention on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL Fire focuses on initial attack with the goal of keeping fires at 10 acres or less. IDL Fire protects and preserves important endowment timber assets that help fund Idaho schools and other beneficiaries, as well as millions of acres of private forestland.

— Idaho Department of Lands 

INTERESTED IN RELEVANT TRAINING FOR YOUR OPERATIONS? THIS SURVEY PROVDES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT TRAINING NEEDS WOULD BENEFIT YOUR LOGGING AND HAULING COMPANY! The survey is being conducted by a grad student from the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, should only take 10 minutes max, and is anonymous. The deadline to complete the survey is April 26. Thank you for participating!

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RQTZQ35 

Visit our Training Info page to view an updated schedule for 2021 Logger First Aid & Safety Training classes. OSHA and the State of Idaho Logging Safety Regulations require that all workers in the woods participate in Logger First Aid & Safety Training every year. This class is also a required component of the Idaho Pro-Logger continuing education program as well. Check in for morning classes start at 7 a.m. The morning class starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at noon. Check in for the afternoon classes start at 12:15 p.m. Afternoon classes begin at 1 p.m. and finish at 5 p.m. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after class starts, you are welcome to stay, but you will not be issued credit or a certificate of completion. Also, if you do not pick up your certificate at the end of class, you will not be listed as completing the class. Pre-registration is required using the links on the Training Info page at https://www.idahologgers.com/training-info/

Questions? Call (208) 667-6473.

Idaho Pro-Loggers: Visit our Training Information page to view an updated list of 2021 classes and conferences that are eligible for Idaho Pro-Logger Continuing Credits. https://www.idahologgers.com/training-info/