BOISE (AP) - More than 800 Idaho National Guard employees are expected to begin taking furlough days mandated by federal budget cuts this week.

Idaho National Guard spokesman Col. Tim Marsano says about 860 full-time employees, from military technicians to civilian workers, will have one unpaid day off each week between now and the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

"It's going to have a significant impact on their pay their personal pay their family's pay," Marsano said. "But it could also have implications for our military readiness. We just aren't sure what those are at this point."

The federal budget cuts took effect when Congress failed to reach an agreement on a deficit reduction plan.

For military families, the furloughs mean living with a 20 percent reduction in pay over the next several months. Marsano said it's also too soon to tell what kind of impact the furloughs will have on response to any disasters.

The National Guard often responds to assist in the wildfire season and many other disasters, though Marsano said he doesn't' foresee a significant impact on the fire season.

"We should be OK for firefighting season should it happen," he said.

All across the country the furloughs will leave impacts, but they are expected to save $1.8 billion dollars in defense spending.