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Sophia Aldous
CUSICK – Along with spring and summer on the horizon there is also the infamous wildfire season. The wildland fire season in Washington and Idaho usually begins in early July and typically ends in early October when regular rain returns to the Northwest. With that in mind, there are steps rural homeowners and communities can take to prepare in case wildfires encroach.
There are two upcoming free wildland fire protection and prevention presentations this month in Cusick and in Priest River. The Homestead Wildfire Protection program is Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Camas Center. There will be refreshments, lunch and door prizes. The event is hosted by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Responsible Growth *NE Washington, Selkirk Alliance for Science and the Inatai Foundation.
According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, in 2025 a combination of lightning-sparked wildfires, hot and dry weather, and light winds caused unhealthy air quality for days across Central and Eastern Washington starting near the end of August and lasting through the first week of October.
Another wildfire preparedness presentation is Saturday, March 14, noon to 4 p.m. at Priest River Community Church Horizon Building. The event is sponsored by the church and the presentation will be done by Bonner County Emergency Management.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the state’s expenses for the 2025 wildfire season was approximately $40.6 million. In the 2024 Idaho wildfire season, state costs were estimated at around $58 million.
For more information about the March 14 presentation, text Lori Holten at 509998-1269 or email [email protected]. Priest River Community Church Horizon Building is located at 377 High St.
SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.
