Political Grok

Idaho Gov. Calls Evacuations, Presidential Hopefuls In Rockies

By Greg Lemon, 8-20-07

In the Northern Rockies, wildfires are dominating the news—even political news. In Idaho, Gov. Butch Otter, as issued evacuation notices to two areas. In Montana, Gov. Brian Schweitzer is continuing to tour wildfire areas and Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester talk about the link between global warming and the Western wildfire season. Meanwhile, despite a cool change in the weather, the fires are still rolling.

Last week, Otter signed an evacuation order for the small community of Yellow Pine, east of McCall, which is being threatened by the Landmark Complex and Cascade Complexof fires. The order is rare and unlike county evacuation orders, which citizens can choose to ignore, they can’t ignore an evacuation order issued by the governor. However, many of them are staying put.

“What the statute says is that the governor can compel you to leave. But we don’t have enough handcuffs, we don’t have enough cars,” said Valley County sheriff’s deputy John Coombs, according to the Idaho Statesman. “You guys are adults, and you can make the call.”

The county is asking people who are staying to sign waivers, saying there will be no county services provided to them. Again, most are refusing.

The fire behavior and extreme conditions prompted Otter to issue another evacuation order to people living near the Castle Rock Fire, east of Ketchum. The order effects about 100 residences.

Earlier this month, Otter met with Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, (both Republicans) and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, to discuss the cheatgrass problem plaguing rangeland in all four states and providing volitale fuel for recent fires.

In Montana, Gov. Schweitzer was on the ground at the Black Cat Fire, burning near Missoula. The fire has evacuated several residents on the northern border of the Missoula Valley. Schweitzer toured the fire and acknowledged that it could have been much worse, but given a little help from God and the hard work of firefighters, many homes were saved.

Earlier in the week, Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus were in Helena talking about what global warming has done for Montana fires: Made them burn hotter and longer. As Jennifer McKee reports for Lee Newspapers, both Senators said they see climate change altering the fire behavior and intensity in the West and Sen. Baucus highlighted two fire-related proposals he’s working on, including a tax credit for people who live in the urban interface to help them protect their homes.

Idaho has 13 large fires, which have burned nearly 650,000 acres. Montana has 18 large fires, which have consumed about 505,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

In other political news, Romney and Richardson are set to stump in Jackson Hole. McCain was speaking in Aspen over the weekend, talking with supporters about immigration, Iraq and global warming.

Despite falling in the polls, McCain is still promoting the war in Iraq and still feels America can win, reports NewWest’s David Frey. McCain also told the crowd in Aspen that oil development shouldn’t occur in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and that immigration is the “top domestic issue.”

Romney and Richardson’s Jackson Hole stops come after Democratic national chairman Howard Dean’s stop over for a fundraiser at Gerry Spence’s ranch. Teton County may prove to be a profitable stop for Democratic presidential candidates, reports NewWest’s Gil Brady.

The weekly Political Grok by Greg Lemon rounds up the week’s political news relevant to our Rocky Mountains. If you find a story you think should be included in the grok, catch Greg at politics@newwest.net.

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