City of Victor, US Forest Service, Teton County Fire & Rescue, and Teton County, Idaho

JOINT PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Southern Valley Fuels Reduction Public Open House

 Victor Idaho, November 27, 2017 – The City of Victor will host a public Southern Valley Fuels Reduction open house in partnership with the US Forest Service, Teton County Fire & Rescue, and Teton County, Idaho on Monday, December 4th, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Victor City Hall located at 32 Elm Street.  Citizens are encouraged to attend the open house to learn about and provide input on fuels reduction opportunities in the southern area of Teton Valley, as shown in the below map.

The US Forest Service is interested in continuing and potentially expanding the work completed in the Smith Canyon and Pole Canyon fuels reduction projects but needs citizen feedback to move forward.  Jay Pence, US Forest Service District Ranger, emphasized the importance of the open house, “The 2016 Tie Fire brought close to home the reality that our community can be impacted by wildfires.  An effective fuels reduction program is instrumental in reducing the risk of wildfire negatively affecting private property, homes and critical infrastructure like the Bonneville power line for our community, while increasing firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of fire suppression operations.  But, first, we need to hear from the community to be effective in balancing what we love about our forest with the need to shelter our community.”

Additionally, a Hazard Fuels Reduction grant of $240,000 has been awarded to the Teton County Fire Protection District by the Idaho Department of State Lands.  The grant’s purpose is to mitigate and reduce the threat and damages of wildfire on private property which is adjacent to US Forest Service land.  An outstanding opportunity exists for the owners of private property in the southwest portion of Teton Valley to greatly improve fire safety by participating with the Teton County Fire Protection District and US Forest Service through the Southern Valley Fuels Reduction project.  These private property owners are especially encouraged to attend the open house to learn more and find out how to participate.

As it becomes available, more information including open house materials will be posted at http://victorcityidaho.com/content/southern-valley-fuels-reduction-public-open-house-december-4th. Citizens that are unable to attend the open house that would still like to provide feedback are invited to fill out a questionnaire available on the City of Victor website at http://victorcityidaho.com/sites/default/files/Fuel%20Reduction%20Questionnaire.pdf.  Please submit completed questionnaires to Jim Robertson of the US Forest Service at jrobertson01@fs.fed.us.

Contact: Olivia Goodale, City of Victor Administrator
Jim Robertson, US Forest Service
Chief Bret Campbell, Fire Chief, Teton County Fire & Rescue
Holly Wolgamott, Teton County Operations Manager