Eric Scholquist and fire staff told Bonner County officials that fire suppression and prevention are central IDL responsibilities for state and private forest lands and that the Sandpoint supervisory area protects about 840,000 acres.

Scholquist said the office fields 30 primary seasonal fire staff during the season and maintains engines and modules: "We've got 30 primary fire staff, during the season ... 3 engines here, 3 engines in Bonners Ferry," he said. IDL also hosts a six-person suppression module and a 20-person hand crew based in the region.

On outcomes for the season, Scholquist reported 52 fires in the Pend Oreille Lake administrative unit and 3,264 acres burned, with the largest incidents being the Sunset Fire and the Sagebrush Fire. "The bulk of that was the Sunset Fire," he said; those two were the only incidents exceeding 10 acres. Staff said they met performance objectives overall, with 96% of fires suppressed at 10 acres or less in the supervisory area.

Fire staff described prevention work including burn permits, inspection of slash created by harvests and public education. They also reviewed mutual-aid and reciprocity arrangements, including participation in a Northwest Compact with other states and the use of out-of-state helicopters and crews when needed.

Officials in the room thanked IDL for the response and participation in after-action reviews; staff said they welcome continued cooperation with local districts and emergency-management partners.