A collaborative working group of neighbors and agencies.
Concerned citizens, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and local, state and federal agencies working to make Island Park a fire-adapted community.
How it started
Partners in wildfire mitigation formed the Island Park Sustainable Fire Community in 2012. The concept was, and still is, to minimize wildfire effects on private lands in Island Park and the adjacent Forest Service lands so residents and visitors can accept and live with wildfire. The founding partners were Fremont County Idaho, the Idaho Department of Lands, the US Forest Service Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, High Country RC&D and The Nature Conservancy.
We have been growing in support ever since, and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in April 2015, governed by a Board of Directors.
“I have been concerned about wildfire and firefighter safety in this area ever since the fires of 1988. I did not want to send my firefighters to a situation where fire behavior was extreme when the fuels situation could be mitigated. That is why I was a founding member of Island Park Sustainable Fire Community.”
Our philosophy
Our working philosophy is reflected in our vision: human and ecological communities of Island Park are resilient to fire, insect and forest disease through awareness, outreach and action. The project is a long-term commitment to develop a strong social and ecological community that is resilient to natural disturbances such as wildfire, insect and disease outbreaks.
We receive funding through the Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands to support the programs we offer Island Park landowners, and we work closely with the Forest Service to remove hazardous fuels adjacent to private lands.
Our goals
From the 2021 Five Year Strategy:
- Fire-adapted communities. 80 percent of the community will have implemented critical actions that minimize risk from wildfire.
- Safer firefighter access. 50 percent of properties will have safer access for firefighters responding to wildfire.
- Resilient landscapes. 30 percent of the vegetative landscape within the Island Park project area will be more resilient to disturbance including wildfire, insects and forest disease.
The people behind the work.
Born and raised in Idaho, grade school in Mack's Inn. University professor of microbiology and molecular biology for 47 years. Built his Island Park home in 1999.
Raised on a cattle ranch near Pryor, MT. BSEE and a 33-year career at the Nuclear Reactor Test Site. Founding member; developed our Hazard Ranking and Wildfire Risk Evaluation plan.
Prescribed Fire Specialist on the North Zone for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Member since 2014, board member since 2018. Biology degree, Whitman College.
Former fireman/paramedic and nurse. Chairman of the Fremont P&Z Commission and president of the Two Top Estates HOA. Full-time resident since 2019.
Assistant Manager at Harriman State Park.
We're a working group of concerned citizens, businesses, nonprofits and agency staff. New members are welcome.
Get in touchFremont County Idaho · Idaho Department of Lands · US Forest Service Ashton/Island Park Ranger District · High Country RC&D · The Nature Conservancy
