The 2023 Idaho wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Idaho.
Predictions made by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) at the start of the season forecast an above-average potential for most of Idaho. This elevated fire potential stemmed in part from two consecutive wet winters, which encouraged excessive brush and vegetation growth that later dried out under summer heat.
Background While the "fire season" in Idaho varies every year based on fire weather conditions, most wildfires occur from June to September. Fire activities normally increase in July and August because of drier conditions, hotter temperatures, and more lightning strikes from thunderstorms. However, wildfire severity can vary every year based on preseason conditions such as snowpack and the overcrowded growth of vegetation and dying trees.
Summary
The 2023 Idaho wildfire season was relatively mild by historical standards. Across the state, a total of 87,801 acres burned—far below the 10-year average (~600,000 acres).
Although acreage was low, of the 284 wildfires reported statewide in 2023, 206 were attributed to human causes, versus 78 by lightning. Fire suppression costs were substantial, the Idaho Department of Lands reported $15.76 million (2023 USD) spent by late August, with net obligations (after reimbursements) of $13.53 million (2023 USD). Within the Idaho Department of Lands protected lands by August 28, 2023, wildfires consumed 80,956 acres (including federal, private, and state land breakdowns). Human-caused fires heavily outnumbered natural ignitions; officials noted that neglected campfires, debris burning, or other human activities were major contributors.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , or produced significant structural damage or casualties. NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRefLittle BearIdaho1,291Lightning-caused. Burned west of Powell. SouthtomAda1,130Burned south of Boise Airport. HaydenLemhi24,706Undetermined cause. Burned in Salmon-Challis National Forest. ElkhornIdaho26,048 Caused by an improperly extinguished campfire that rekindled. Destroyed several structures in Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Ridge CreekKootenai4,474Undetermined cause. Prompted evacuations and closed Lake Hayden. EastValley3,313Undetermined cause. Burned east of Cascade. Black MountainTwin Falls1,312 Lightning-caused. Burned southeast of Twin Falls. Big CreekFranklin2,980Lightning-caused. southwest of Montpelier. TelegraphLincoln2,000Burned north of Shoshone. WedgeBlaine7,375Caused by a vehicle dragging an object on State Route 75.
See also 2023 Oregon wildfires 2023 Washington wildfires
References