Flanked by a collection of Smokey Bear pictures inside the Coeur d’Alene Interagency Fire Cache on Friday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little had one simple message for the state of Washington and its current battle with devastating wildfires:

“To our neighbors in Washington,” he said, “Idaho stands with you.”

Joined by Idaho Department of Lands firefighters, including U.S. Forest Chief Tom Schultz, Little spent a smoky-filled Friday afternoon in Coeur d’Alene giving a press conference about how the Gem State is helping quell the Spokane wildfires. The disaster, which has garnered international attention, has so far scorched more than 10,300 acres, destroyed over 900 structures, and wiped out entire neighborhoods.

As of Friday press time, the fires have forced more than 67,000 people to evacuate.

“For Idaho, I want to express our incredible thoughts and sympathy for the people in the Spokane area,” Little said. “The families, the businesses, everyone that’s been dislocated, it’s heartbreaking what’s going on over there.”

According to the Forest Service, there are currently 242 Forest Service personnel combating Spokane fires. This includes over 1,500 personnel from over 20 respective states and over 100 jurisdictions. 

On Aug. 1 alone, Forest Service aerial support deployed 16 fire retardant drops from what are called “Very Large Air Tankers,” which release up to 9,400 to 12,000 gallons of fire retardant in one sequence. Also on that same day, there were 37 “Large Air Tanker” and 57 scooper drops on the Spokane area alone.

As to where the Forest Service aerial resources draw their fire-retardant supply from? There’s a Forest Service tanker base in Coeur d’Alene, and it has loaded 740,000 gallons of retardant so far this year. Over half of that number, 434,602 gallons, has been delivered to Washington state in the past month alone.

This includes 154,533 gallons of Coeur d’Alene-based fire retardant on the Old Trail Fire in western Spokane. When that fire started this past Saturday, 94,000 gallons of Coeur d’Alene fire retardant was dropped on Spokane in one day, which equates to about 31 plane loads at about 3,000 gallons a load.

“The generosity of Idahoans has always been one of our greatest strengths,” Little said.

Schultz said Friday that this fire season has been “significantly more challenging” than recent years. More specifically, the nation is now at 127% of the 10-year 35,000 wildfire average. It is also now at 144% of the 10-year 4 million acres burned average.

“The resilience of the communities across the West are being tested,” he said.

Schultz also said most Western states, including Idaho, encountered a 0-15% snowpack this past winter season.

“Top priority for the department right now is keeping communities safe and firefighters safe,” Schultz said. “Just a reminder, we did have four wildland firefighter fatalities this year already, so we are keeping this top of mind.” 

According to Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey, as of Aug. 7, there have been 149 fires across all of IDL’s protection districts. This includes 4,400 acres burned.

“Of those, 81 are human caused,” he said. “That’s something to take note of.”

In total, 485,000 acres have been burned across Idaho this year. Including Idaho and Washington, there are also 31,000 personnel battling wildfires nationwide right now, 95 of which are currently uncontained. Harvey said this includes 635 hand crews, 1,897 engines and 186 helicopters.

“These fires continue to place substantial demand on regional and national resources,” Harvey said.

Little and Schultz on Friday stressed the importance of preventing fires. Coeur d’Alene itself is under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit people from creating campfires or smoking unless they're in vehicles, buildings or designated areas.

Meanwhile, Idaho residents and businesses are encouraged to carry extra water, fire extinguishers and all other fire prevention tools. 

“One careless moment,” Little said, “can change lives forever.”

    Idaho Gov. Brad Little, left, speaks with U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz in Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
  

    Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey participates in a press conference in Coeur d'Alene on Friday.