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Idaho: Gov. Little hosts Trump administration officials for wildfire roundtable, annual trail ride

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Boise, Idaho ~ Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke welcomed high-ranking officials from the Trump administration this week for a roundtable discussion on the upcoming 2025 wildfire season. The meeting was held before the annual Governor's trail ride, which brings together officials and individuals who work on the land to discuss important natural resource issues.

Among those in attendance at the wildfire roundtable were representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). These included Kate MacGregor, DOI Deputy Secretary; Kristin Sleeper, USDA Deputy Undersecretary; Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service; Adam Suess, DOI Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management; and Andrew Mott, Assistant to the DOI Deputy Secretary.

The main purpose of the roundtable was to ensure effective coordination between state and federal governments leading up to the 2025 wildfire season. Under President Trump's leadership, federal officials have reinforced their agencies' aggressive approach to managing wildfires by prepositioning resources and implementing a 100 percent full suppression strategy for federally managed fires. This approach aims to increase initial attack response times and minimize fire risk to communities while prioritizing firefighter safety.

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During the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of land management in preventing wildfires. They highlighted how activities such as targeted forest thinning, grazing, and prescribed burns can significantly reduce fire risk. Idaho has been a leader in implementing programs like Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship, where the state works with federal agencies to increase management activities on federal lands.

Governor Little's April executive order, known as "Make Forests Healthy Again Act," along with President Trump's "Freeing Our Forests Act" and accompanying USDA secretarial orders have also played a crucial role in ramping up coordination efforts between states like Idaho and federal agencies.

The federal officials expressed their commitment to pushing for policy reforms that have long been discussed but not yet acted upon. They also stated that they are actively using existing authorities to increase management activities on the ground in collaboration with states like Idaho.

The Governor's annual trail ride, a two-day gathering of representatives from the ranching and agriculture industries, state and federal officials, and congressional office representatives, also took place this week. Discussions around the campfire covered various topics, including wildfire and fuels management, federal regulations, sage grouse conservation, energy development, and policy reforms.

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Governor Little expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss these issues in person and credited President Trump's ambition for driving significant changes. He also thanked all partners for their close collaboration with the state in protecting people and lands from destructive wildfires.

Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Kate MacGregor praised Governor Little's efforts in bringing together state and agency leaders to connect with Idaho's landscapes and each other. She highlighted how President Trump and Secretary Rollins have made it a priority to strengthen their working relationship with states to improve responsible forest management.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment Kristin Sleeper echoed these sentiments, stating that Governor Little's trail ride provides a unique opportunity to see firsthand the natural treasures of the country and discuss ways to ensure their future viability.

USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz also expressed his appreciation for Governor Little's leadership and commitment to shared stewardship. He emphasized how an all-hands, all-lands approach is necessary to address the challenges faced by communities today and restore health and productivity to forests and grasslands.

In conclusion, Governor Little's roundtable discussion on the 2025 wildfire season was a success in promoting coordination between state and federal governments. The annual trail ride provided an excellent platform for officials to come together and discuss critical natural resource issues facing Idaho. With continued efforts from both state and federal agencies, it is hoped that the upcoming wildfire season can be managed effectively, ensuring the safety of communities and the protection of natural resources.

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