Idaho Budget Committee Rejects Proposals to Restore Wildfire Funding Cuts

Concerns raised over impact on fire preparedness and increased costs

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Idaho Legislature's budget committee rejected proposals to restore $285,000 in state funding for wildfire protection that was cut last month. The cuts are expected to impact the state's ability to respond to wildfires, hire seasonal firefighters, and carry out fire prevention work.

Why it matters

Wildfire risk and severity in Idaho is increasing, yet the state is reducing funding for fire protection programs. This could lead to more uncontrolled fires, higher costs for the state to fight fires, and reduced fire prevention efforts.

The details

The first proposal would have restored $125,000 in funding for fire protection programs in the current fiscal year 2026, while the second proposal would have restored $140,500 for fiscal year 2027. Both proposals were rejected by the budget committee. Concerns were raised that the Idaho Department of Lands used previous wildfire funding to award bonuses to office staff, rather than just firefighters.

  • Last month, the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved additional budget cuts for most state agencies and departments in the current fiscal year 2026 and next year's fiscal year 2027.
  • On Feb. 10, Idaho Division of Financial Management Administrator Lori Wolff wrote to legislators asking them to restore some of the cuts to the Idaho Department of Lands, warning the cuts would mean fewer seasonal firefighters, increased risk of uncontrolled fires, and reduced fire prevention work.

The players

Dustin Miller

Idaho Department of Lands Director, who expressed concerns that the budget cuts will hurt the state's ability to respond to wildfires and hire seasonal firefighters.

Rep. James Petzke

A Republican state representative from Meridian who removed a proposal to restore $140,500 in funding for fiscal year 2027, citing concerns about how the Department of Lands used previous wildfire funding for bonuses.

Lori Wolff

Idaho Division of Financial Management Administrator, who wrote to legislators asking them to restore some of the budget cuts to the Department of Lands.

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What they’re saying

“It's unfortunate that we are looking at these further reductions to the fire program when the fire threat and fire severity in the state is only getting worse.”

— Dustin Miller, Idaho Department of Lands Director (Idaho Capital Sun)

“There are just all kinds of other positions in there that, to me, don't seem like they're in the spirit of what we gave them this money for.”

— Rep. James Petzke (Idaho Capital Sun)

What’s next

JFAC members could still reconsider proposals to restore budget cuts before the 2026 legislative session adjourns for the year.

The takeaway

The budget cuts to Idaho's wildfire protection programs come at a time when the state is facing increasing wildfire risk and severity. This decision raises concerns about the state's ability to adequately prepare for and respond to wildfires, potentially leading to higher costs and greater risks to public safety.