Greg Rightmier appointed new Fire Chief for the City of Lewiston

The City of Lewiston announced the appointment of Greg Rightmier as the new Fire Chief for the Lewiston Fire Department. Greg, who has served as Interim Fire Chief for approximately four months, brings a wealth of experience and a demonstrated commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. Greg's journey to this position is marked by a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. Starting as a dedicated firefighter, he advanced through the ranks, recently serving as Deputy Fire Chief. His exemplary administrative experience and unwavering leadership as Interim Fire Chief have been invaluable. Mayor Dan Johnson expressed his confidence in Greg's appointment, emphasizing, "Greg Rightmier's dedication and expertise have been evident throughout his tenure. He is the right person to lead the Lewiston Fire Department into the future."
Big Country News Connection

Follow-up: Twin Falls waits for Rondevoo Fire rebuild

VIDEO: It was a devastating fire that rocked the City of Twin Falls. On the morning of April 12, 2022, a fire broke out at the Radio Rondevoo Event Center on Main Avenue West. By the end of the day, half of the city block was destroyed. The question remains, what happens next? As the building was enveloped in flames, over one hundred firefighters from several departments battled the blaze. Local development and real estate agent Alex Castaneda owned the property and said when he was called that morning he knew it was bad. "You could see the smoke from Jerome," said Castaneda. Regarding the exact cause of the fire, the Twin Falls Fire Chief told me that private investigators are now involved. Castaneda says he believes the fire started on the northwest corner of the building and the official cause is still undetermined.
KIVI-TV ABC 6 Nampa

Semi-truck and three trailers loaded with straw destroyed in fire near Lava Hot Springs

VIDEO: The driver of a Peterbilt semi-truck is uninjured after the vehicle caught fire Monday afternoon. It happened around 3 p.m. on U.S. Highway 30 about eight miles east of Lava Hot Springs, according to a news release from the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office. The driver, whose name and gender were not specified, was pulling three flatbed trailers loaded with straw. After picking up the load in Soda Springs, the driver headed west and pulled over after noticing the first trailer was on fire. “The driver … attempted to disconnect the trailers from the Peterbilt, but one of the bales fell on the ground near a fuel tank before the driver could unhook,” the news release says. The cause of the blaze has not been determined. The truck, trailers and straw were completely destroyed.
East Idaho News

State Land Board of Commissioners gets update on fire cost to the state

VIDEO: While this year's fire season may be less eventful than compared to years past. The total cost to fight wildfires that the state must pay for is still increasing. At the recent Idaho State Land, Board of Commissioners meeting the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) gave the most updated fire numbers and cost break down to the land board. As of the middle of September, there’s been 271 fires on land managed by the IDL, which also includes state endowment land; 195 of the fires were found to have been human caused due to more recreational use. Human caused fires are up this year by about 30%, with 2600 acres burned so far in 2023. There are no fires burning currently on IDL land, but a warmer and drier outlook is predicted for the next month, which could extend fire season into October.
KMVT-TV CBS/CW+ 11 Twin Falls