US FOREST SERVICE

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐






Crews were in Grouse Creek today patrolling the 30 acres accomplished yesterday. Minimal smoke was observed near the tree line. Crews will continue to patrol the area.

Wino Basin (16 Miles southeast of Challis, Idaho): Approximately 1,000-3,000 acres. Prescribed burning is planned in the Wino Basin area. The primary purpose of the proposed action is to reduce surface, ladder, and canopy fuel loading, and introducing fire back onto the landscape, thereby reducing crown fire potential and the occurrence of high severity wildfire in the Wino Basin area and moving the forested vegetation toward more sustainable conditions. For more information go to www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55128.

Learn more about spring prescribed fire plans on the South Zone of the Forest here --> bit.ly/3x7yx8F

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐






The Soda Springs Ranger District has approved Simplot to conduct replacement and maintenance operations to a slurry line within the forest which will result in temporary road closures to ensure public safety. These maintenance efforts will affect access for Timber Creek, Stewart Canyon, and Trail Canyon roads.

FS Road 110 (Timber Creek) is closed to all uses, including hiking, biking, motorized use, and horse travel from April 17, 2024, through June 15, 2024.

FS Road 134 (Stewart Canyon) is closed to all uses including hiking, biking, motorized use, and horse travel from June 1, 2024, through July 15, 2024.

FS Road 124 (Trail Canyon) will not have a closure order, but visitors may expect to see construction activity, signage, and possible delays in the area as portions of the pipeline are under repair during the months of April and May.

We ask the public to use caution when traveling in these areas during the time frames provided. Visitors should watch for flaggers, signage, and gates which will further direct traffic to provide for public safety. Every effort is being made to make these necessary repairs as minimally impactful to the public as possible.

Questions or concerns should be directed to Bryan Fuell, Soda Springs District Ranger at: [phone].

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐





We had 15 firefighters take on below freezing temperatures yesterday morning to participate in the annual Work Capacity Test. Most of our participants yesterday included individuals that support full-time fire fighters as a collateral or support duty.

The Work Capacity Test (WCT), known informally as the pack test, is a physical test for wildland firefighters that is required every year. The pack test is intentionally stressful as it tests the capacity of muscular strength and aerobic endurance of the firefighter.

The WCT consists of three separate levels of tests which correspond with the three duty types. The tests are defined as follows:

Pack Test - This is a job-related test to determine an individual’s ability to perform the minimum standards of arduous duties. It consists of completing a 3-mile walk over level terrain in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack.

Field Test - This is a job-related test to determine an individual’s ability to perform the minimum standards of moderate duty. It consists of completing a 2-mile walk over level terrain in 30 minutes or less while carrying a 25-pound pack.

Walk Test - This is a job-related test to determine an individual’s ability to perform the minimum standards of light duty. The test consists of completing a 1-mile walk over level terrain in 16 minutes or less with no load.

We want to give a big thank you to the Idaho Falls Fire Department for providing on-site EMS support.

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐






Want to work with the Forest Service? The Resource Assistants Program (RAP) is now seeking candidates for Summer 2024 positions in conservation, natural and cultural resources, environmental management, research & development, and other fields throughout the agency! Benefits include housing allowance, weekly stipend, health insurance, commuter allowance, and professional development. RAP is recruiting college-educated individuals for this summer’s cohort starting in July! Learn more at storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/596da8ebf0494abab2baff9fc235bc6c

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐




The South Zone Fuels program completed approximately 125 acres of prescribed fire implementation in Cabin Creek today. Crews will continue to be in the area and additional implementation may occur as conditions allow.

Project Information: South Lost (Cedar Cabin) (13 miles East of Mackay, Idaho): Approximately 1,000-8,000 acres. Prescribed burning is planned in the Cedar, Ramshorn, and Cabin Creek areas, on the east side of the South Lost Mountain Range. The purpose of this project is to improve forest stand conditions and wildlife habitat by introducing fire back into a landscape that has missed historic fire return intervals. For more information go to www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57139.

📸Implementation Photos 4/22/2024

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐





🐻🌲 Be Bear Aware: Safety Tips for Exploring the National Forest 🌲🐻

Attention, outdoor enthusiasts! While venturing into the National Forest offers a wonderful escape into nature, it's important to remember that we're sharing these spaces with wildlife, including bears. Being bear-aware is crucial for your safety and the well-being of these majestic creatures. You need to know here to coexist safely with bears in their natural habitat.

1. **Make Noise**: Bears usually avoid humans, but they can be surprised by quiet hikers. To avoid startling them, make noise while you move through bear country.
2. **Store Food Safely**: Store food in bear-proof containers away from your sleeping area. Never leave food unattended, as it can attract bears to your campsite.
3. **Travel in Groups**: There's safety in numbers. Bears are less likely to approach a group, so hike and camp with companions whenever possible.
4. **Keep a Clean Camp**: Ensure your camping area is free of food scraps and garbage. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be attracted to your site by lingering odors.
5. **Know What to Do**: If you encounter a bear, stay calm, speak calmly and firmly, and slowly back away. Do not run or play dead; instead, make yourself appear as large as possible and maintain eye contact.
6. **Carry Bear Spray**: In areas where bear encounters are more likely, carry bear spray and know how to use it. If used correctly, bear spray can effectively deter a bear from a distance.

Being bear-aware means respecting these wild animals and understanding how to act responsibly in their home. Educating yourself and others about bear safety protects you and helps ensure that bears remain wild and unhabituated to human presence.

Let’s enjoy the beauty and adventure of the National Forest while being mindful of our furry neighbors. Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking or camping? Share your experiences and tips on staying bear-aware in the comments below. Let’s promote safe and respectful wildlife encounters for everyone! 🌲🐻💚

#BearAware #NationalForest #WildlifeSafety #OutdoorAdventures #CoexistWithNature

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐




After graduating college in 2019, Kira Gafkjen decided to do a year of service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), which she really enjoyed.

After that first year, she served another year with NCCC as a team leader for the Southern Region Forest Team. As one of their first projects, her team was deployed to the Angelina Sabine National Forest, to assist with Hurricane Laura after it hit Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. For the next nine months, Kira led her team on other projects serving national forests in Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas. They responded to wildfires, assisted with prescribed burns, and helped with silviculture, timber, and wildlife conservation projects.

After her service term was over, Kira saw herself pursuing a career with the Forest Service and applied for a job through the Pathways program (a program for recent graduates) and was hired as an Integrated Resource Technician on the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. After a year in that role, Kira took a position as wildland firefighter on the Angelina Sabine National Forest, where she had made many connections during her year with NCCC. “I love that my job is challenging yet fulfilling. I get to travel the country, be outdoors almost every day, doing labor intensive tasks that produce results directed towards a meaningful goal.

Our forest focuses on the prescribed burn program, in which this past year I actually witnessed the benefits. We had a busy wildfire season on our home district, but almost all the fires were kept small due to them being located in previously burned areas,” said Gafkjen. Currently, she is a permanent, senior firefighter on the Angelina Sabine National Forest.

Want to learn more about NCCC and how to apply? Select this link: www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/americorps-nccc-forest-corps

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐





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This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service that is national in scope over at least a two-year period. A maximum of three Gold Smokey Bear awards may be given annually.
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This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service that is regional (multistate) in scope over at least a two-year period. A maximum of five Silver Smokey Bear awards may be given annually.

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This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service that has impact within a state over at least a two-year period. A maximum of 10 Bronze Smokey Bear awards may be given annually.

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Additionally, Smokey Bear certificates and plaques may be awarded to a few select nominees to recognize their potential to receive future Smokey Bear awards or for state forestry agencies to independently recognize outstanding wildfire prevention efforts.
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[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐




Smokey BearSmokey Bear logo
Skip to Main Content
MENU
Close
About Wildland Fire
Prevention How-Tos
Smokey's History
Smokey for Kids
For Educators
Search
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Home Smokey Bear Awards
Eligibility
SHARE THIS
Eligible for nomination are individuals, agencies or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the prevention of human-cased wildfires.

Wildfire prevention service includes, but is not limited to: efforts in education, law enforcement and engineering; journalism and media coverage; advertising campaigns; informational programs; training; risk assessment; prescribed fire used for prevention; committee leadership; volunteerism; fundraising; providing support services for fire prevention (e.g., legal services); and individual presentations. Project(s) must have been completed and covered at least a two-year period.

Posthumous awards may be given if the work nominated occurred within the last three years or still has significant influence or long-term, measurable impact on today’s Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program.

This award is not intended as a retirement or departure recognition award.

Activities relating to fire prevention for structures do not qualify for the Smokey Bear awards. Nominations that primarily focus on developing defensible space, reducing fuels, etc., should be submitted for Wildfire Mitigation Awards.

Smokey Bear badge.
Smokey Awards
For people or organizations that provide sustained, outstanding service in the wildfire prevention arena.

LEARN MORE
MORE AWARDS
About the Awards
Award Levels
Awards History
Contact Info
Historical Winners
Winners' Gallery
PREVENTION HOW-TOS
Campfire Safety
Backyard Debris Burning
Equipment Use & Maintenance
twitter
instagram
youtube
facebook
For Wildfire Prevention Professionals:
SMOKEY BEAR AWARDS TOOLKIT SMOKEY BEAR USE GUIDELINES SMOKEY COSTUME USE SMOKEY BEAR COSTUME - JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Contact Info
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Advertising Council logo.
National Association of State Foresters logo.
United States Forest Service logo.
© 2021, The Ad Council

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐




After graduating college in 2019, Kira Gafkjen decided to do a year of service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), which she really enjoyed.

After that first year, she served another year with NCCC as a team leader for the Southern Region Forest Team. As one of their first projects, her team was deployed to the Angelina Sabine National Forest, to assist with Hurricane Laura after it hit Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. For the next nine months, Kira led her team on other projects serving national forests in Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas. They responded to wildfires, assisted with prescribed burns, and helped with silviculture, timber, and wildlife conservation projects.

After her service term was over, Kira saw herself pursuing a career with the Forest Service and applied for a job through the Pathways program (a program for recent graduates) and was hired as an Integrated Resource Technician on the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. After a year in that role, Kira took a position as wildland firefighter on the Angelina Sabine National Forest, where she had made many connections during her year with NCCC. “I love that my job is challenging yet fulfilling. I get to travel the country, be outdoors almost every day, doing labor intensive tasks that produce results directed towards a meaningful goal.

Our forest focuses on the prescribed burn program, in which this past year I actually witnessed the benefits. We had a busy wildfire season on our home district, but almost all the fires were kept small due to them being located in previously burned areas,” said Gafkjen. Currently, she is a permanent, senior firefighter on the Angelina Sabine National Forest.

Want to learn more about NCCC and how to apply? Select this link: www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/americorps-nccc-forest-corps

[Freddie]

🌐 The Global Network 🌐






🌳🏕️ It's that time of the week again - Happy Tahuaya Tuesday, adventurers! 🌟 Today, we're giving you a sneak peek into one of the many cozy hideaways at Camp Tahuaya: our delightful Canvas Tent! 🏕️💚

Get ready to snuggle up in style with two comfy bunks with a mattress, all set against the backdrop of nature's beauty. ✨ Don't forget, you can add your personal touch to make it feel like home sweet home! 🏠💖

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we unveil even more ways to experience the magic of Camp Tahuaya! And don't forget, whether you're into glamping or camping, we've got we've got you covered! 🌳🤩✨

#TahuayaTuesday #OutdoorFun #CampTahuaya #CozyCamping #AdventureAwaits 🌟🏕️