08/22/07 Fire emergency; Fisher replaces Caswell

Idaho is under a statewide disaster emergency. Governor Butch Otter made that declaration because of the growing risk to life and property from the uncontrolled wildfires burning in many parts of the state. The declaration allows state government resources to be used anywhere in the state to respond to wildfire threats. Governor Otter did authorize Blaine County officials to use their discretion in ordering evacuations from a wildfire area near Ketchum. Three dozen Idaho Air National Guard personnel were sent to Blaine County to help local law enforcement with traffic control. The Governor Office of Species Conservation has a new administrator. Nate Fisher, the former director for the Council on Industry and the Environment was appointed by Governor Otter to replace Jim Caswell who was recently named national director for the US Bureau of Land Management. Fisher has been an environmental liaison for the Office of Species Conservation since June 2001, coordinating federal Endangered Species Act programs with state agencies and working to promote collaboration between state, federal and private stakeholders. It was just about this time one year ago that the World Potato Congress came to Idaho. The WPC has a tour planned for next February in Australia and New Zealand to learn more about potato production in the Southern Hemisphere. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott