A prescribed fire burns in a forest, with low red and orange flames on the ground.
Prescribed fire on the West Zone.
Prescribed fire activities on the Payette National Forest were limited this fall due to the impact from the lengthy fire season across the state and nation. Last year firefighters began ignitions in September, but this year conditions and resource availability pushed back efforts until October 22. The transition of conditions to a wetter trend limited broadcast acreage to 350 acres of slash fuels within two project areas, but firefighters were able to burn 1,178 acres of piles across the West and Central Zones. Additionally, about 700 acres of thinning piles burned during the Logan Fire on the East Zone. Thanks to all who participated in prescribed fire activities this fall!
Trail Triumphs
West Zone (Council and Weiser Ranger Districts): West Zone Trails hired two new trail crew members into permanent positions this year. The biggest partner project was with Idaho Conservation Corps, with Woodhead Fire rehab on the Rush Creek Trail #262 from the historic Buck Park Cabin. Maintenance work was completed with many other partners including, but not limited to, Idaho Trails Association, Council Educational Resource Crew, IDPR, and Backcountry Horsemen. The new reroute of the Council Mountain Trail #198 from Cabin Creek Campground was completed this season. Overall, the West Zone trail crew maintained 58 miles of trail this year.
Aerial footage of a dirt trail with switchbacks, with yellow bushes and trees along the trail.
Central Zone (McCall and New Meadows Ranger District): Over the course of the 2024 trail season, the Central Zone Trail Crew got a lot of work done. With six sets of hands at the beginning of the season, the crew quickly installed a bridge on Pete Creek Trail #144 and tackled early season annual maintenance on trails such as Twentymile Lakes Trail #085 and Rapid River Trail #177. The crew decreased to four mid-season and the remaining crew focused on annual maintenance across the zone. They also continued work to re-establish Loon Creek Trail #084, completed long-deferred logout on Slaughter Creek Trail #126 (just outside of Warren), and installed new signs at seven trailheads. All told, the Central Zone trail crew maintained approximately 90 miles of trail; removing 2,058+ logs down on trails and repairing 15,370 feet of tread! These numbers do not include the important work done by partners such as Montana Conservation Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Idaho Trails Association, Central Idaho Trail Riders Alliance, Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association, Back Country Horsemen of Idaho, and others whose boots on the ground have assisted the Central Zone trail crew in opening trails faster in the spring, keeping up on annual maintenance, and tackling big projects that would otherwise be nearly unthinkable for the crew on their own.
Trail crew workers cut trees with chainsaws along a dirt trail in the forest.
East Zone (Krassel Ranger District): The East Zone Trails program, along with partners and volunteers, maintained 445 miles of trail in 2024. Crews re-routed 800 feet of the Crooked Creek Trail (#002) up and out of an area impacted by beavers in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The trail crew also worked on re-opening the West Fork of Buckhorn Creek trail (#094) which was previously in rough shape. Skillful rock work was completed at the beginning of the trail, improving access and tread on the non-motorized trail.
Three trail crew members wearing hardhats, gloves, and eye protection use a jackhammer to hammer a rock in a trail along a creek.
Visitors from Mozambique
In mid-November, East Zone Fire Management Officer Forrest Behm hosted a "lunch and learn" presentation along with his colleagues visiting from Mozambique, Hillario Chitlango and Leonel Mutembo. Behm, who is a part of the USDA Forest Service's International Program, worked with Chitlango and Mutembo on fire management in Mozambique earlier this year. The trio spoke about what the International Program is, discussed the variety of projects they've been involved with, and answered questions from over 45 people attending in-person and online. Chitlango and Mutembo were visiting the Payette and the National Interagency Fire Center to gain a broader understanding of how the Forest Service and partnering agencies conduct fire management, from the national perspective to the district level. The final stop on the trip was to visit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation to pay respects to those who have fallen in the line of duty.
A group of people sits in an office conference room listening to a presentation.
International Program team members from Mozambique give a presentation at the Supervisor's Office.
Fish Crew: By the Numbers
A group of fish biologists sit around green buckets during a fish study.
117
Set and collected 117 stream temperature loggers and 5 air temperature loggers across the forest.
Three women stand in a creek and hold buckets of water and rocks.
240
240 core samples were processed from the South Fork Salmon River, Lake Creek, Secesh River, and Chamberlain Creek to understand what type of sediment is available for spawning.
Two women sit in a creek taking scientific measurements.
13
13 cobble embeddedness surveys were completed to figure out how many rocks are free and usable for salmon, steelhead, and bulltrout to spawn in.
A fish biologist squats down in a creek, holding a fish in a net.
79
79 eDNA samples were collected and sent to Rocky Mountain Research Station for processing to help us learn what species of fish are living where!
A group of fish biologists poses in a lake; they are all wearing dry suits and snorkel masks.
16
16 snorkel surveys were conducted to determine fish presence and absence.
A group of fish biologists collects data from a stream in an area burnt by wildfire.
8,860
8,860 meters were electrofished in rivers and streams to collect population density data.
For the Kids
The Payette continued with outreach and conservation education this fall, despite the lack of a conservation education-focused position. Fuels staff Patrick Schon, Eli Grooms, and Will Woods led a field trip for 2nd through 5th graders from the Mountain Community School to discuss fire ecology and the importance of fire on the landscape. The field trip took place near the Wallace Lane snowmobile parking lot in New Meadows, so students could see the difference between a managed and unmanaged forest. “There were lots of good questions and conversations- including a kiddo bringing us a cow pie to find out what is was!” said Schon.
GIS Specialist Brian Gardner also had the opportunity to visit a 1st grade classroom at Barbara Morgan Elementary in McCall to talk about maps. The students were learning about maps, legends, and cardinal directions and Gardner helped students understand how the Forest Service uses maps. “I was working with a team during the Middle Fork Complex fire at the time but was able to break away and chat with the class about how we use maps in support of wildfires,” said Gardner.
To kickstart the holiday season, Vickie Hogen hosted “Storytime with a Ranger” at the Supervisor’s Office in November. She read the story of a Christmas tree and did a holiday craft with over 30 kids and their parents. Many thanks to Vickie Hogen who enthusiastically helps with conservation education events and tracking, in addition to her normal duties as an administrative assistant.
A group of young children with backpacks stand along a dirt road in a forest on a sunny day.
A group of students sit on the floor in a school classroom listening to a presentation.
Two kids sit at a table and work on a holiday craft involving tree cookies and pinecones.
A woman wearing a Forest Service uniform reads a book to a group of kids sitting on the ground and in chairs in front of her.
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Fire Employee of the Year
A group of new firefighters listens to a briefing outside of a building. They are all wearing yellow helmets, yellow shirts, fire packs, and holding a tool.
Danielle Church conducts a briefing for the Vale BLM "Women in Fire" program. This was her second year serving as cadre member for the program.
Danielle Church was named "Fire Employee of the Year" for 2024 on the Payette National Forest. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond in their support of the Payette Fire Program and its mission statement. Church, who is an assistant fire engine operator on Council Engine 421, has emerged as a leader amongst her peers, acting as a trainer for position task books and coordinating medical trainings for the district, in addition to her regular firefighting duties and assignments. Award recipients receive a cash award and recognition on a plaque displayed at the McCall Smokejumper Base. Congratulations Danielle!
Previous award recipients are as follows: Stephen Packard (2023), Lisa Thompson (2022), Brandon Becker (2021), Cody Fox (2020), Darbey Edwards (2019), Greg Schetzle (2018), Laura Congleton (2017), Anthony Waite (2016), Heather Larronde (2015), Travis Chamberlain (2014), Will Perry (2013), Jason Greenway (2012), Ryan Garber (2011), Cheyenne Warner (2010), and Craig Utter (2009).
Holiday Celebrations
During the month of December, Payette National Forest employees celebrated the holidays with pizza parties, delicious pot lucks, light-hearted gift giving games, and lots of holiday sweets. In the spirit of giving, many districts sponsored local families in the community to provide gifts and items for those in need. The Payette Employee Association (PEA) held their annual holiday auction and raised over $2,800 for the PEA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to children of Payette employees.
People gather at a potluck table and put food on plates.
A group of people wraps presents in an office setting
People gather at a potluck table and put food on plates.
People gather in an office conference room and open white elephant gifts.
A large group of people sits in a conference room and watches someone open a present.
A group of people stand in a line getting pizza and desserts from a long table.
People gather at a potluck table and put food on plates.
People sit and listen in a conference room.
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New Employees
A woman posses outside in the snow with her young daughter.
A woman and her dog pose for a selfie in a vehicle.
Woman stands in a river with a fishing rod, smiling at the camera.
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Moving On
Jenni Blake is retiring after 31 years with the Forest Service. Jenni says, "I started working on the Payette National Forest in 1986 as an Student Conservation Association volunteer doing trail maintenance in the Frank Church Wilderness. That summer changed my life and started me on a life long career in wilderness, recreation, and trails- mostly with the Forest Service. Of my 31 years, approximately 22 years have been on the Payette in various positions. I have truly loved being out in the field working hard, seeing new and amazing country, and getting to know the people who work on and live in the communities adjacent to the National Forest. I will especially miss the passionate people I have worked with throughout my years. I am looking forward to spending more time outside enjoying the country I love and exploring new places."
Dave Vining is retiring after 24 years with the Forest Service. Dave says, "I started my wild ride in 1993 on the Sawtooth National Forest, joining the Sawtooth Hotshots. It was a total eye-opener for a farm kid from Southern Idaho! Next up, I joined the Boise BLM Smokejumper program, jumping in Nevada, Alaska, all over the West, and even in Australia. It was the perfect job for a young, thrill-seeking soul! In 2004, I settled down a bit (sort of) as the AFMO on the Council Ranger District; in 2011, I took on the challenging role of Central Zone FMO; and finally, I wrapped up my career as the Fire Staff Officer. My favorite memories are of the incredible folks I've had the privilege to work for and with. The Payette has been my home for over 20 years. Now, it's time for new adventures! I can't wait to explore our National Forests with my family. I'll miss you all, but I'll do my best to stay in touch. Thanks for being a part of my life and putting up with my sometimes (okay, most of the time) rough personality. Good luck in the future, and remember: people are what truly matter. Take care of the people, and they'll take care of the land."
Holly Becker is retiring after 34 years on the Payette. Holly says, "I began my Forest Service journey in 1976 as a leader at Bryan Flat Resident YCC camp on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. I then experienced the adventures of a Forest Service wife which took me to Jackson and Evanston, Wyoming and then to New Meadows, Idaho and the Payette National Forest. I started on the Council Ranger District in 1990 as a forestry tech and transitioned to hydrology in 1992. In 1996, I took on the role of Water Rights Specialist at the Supervisor's Office. Over my 34 years, I'm proud to report that I've only spent one unplanned night in the woods! I'm looking forward to spending more time in the saddle, hiking, traveling, and simply enjoying life’s adventures—without the need to stay current on water law!"
Heather Larronde is moving on from her career with the Forest Service and looking forward to traveling and spending time with family.
Let's Connect
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