Media Release
From: Owyhee County, Idaho
Date: January 14, 2025
RE: Owyhee County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update
Owyhee County Seeks Public Comment on Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan
OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO: Beginning January 15, 2026, a review draft of the Owyhee County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), including integrated components of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), will be available for public review and comment.
The draft document will be posted on the Owyhee County website and will remain open for public comment for a 30-day review period, closing on February 15, 2026. A hard copy of the draft will also be available for in-person review at the Owyhee County Courthouse in Murphy. Owyhee County residents, business owners, land managers, and other stakeholders are strongly encouraged to participate and provide feedback.
In February 2025, Owyhee County initiated the update of its All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and its Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The planning effort has been led by Owyhee County in coordination with a multi-agency planning team consisting of representatives from county and municipal governments, fire districts, rural fire protection associations, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and other local stakeholders. Technical assistance for the project has been provided by Northwest Management, Inc. of Moscow, Idaho.
The HMP serves as the County’s primary long-range strategy for reducing risk from natural hazards such as wildfire, flood, severe weather, drought, landslide, and other threats to life, property, and critical infrastructure. Wildfire-specific risk analysis, ignition assessments, Wildland-Urban Interface identification, and mitigation priorities required under the CWPP framework are being developed concurrently with and integrated directly into the HMP, creating a single coordinated planning document.
Public participation has been a central component of this planning process. Throughout the year, the project team has conducted stakeholder meetings, participated in community events, distributed surveys, and shared project updates to ensure that local knowledge and community priorities are reflected in the final plan.
All comments received during the public review period will be carefully considered and incorporated where appropriate prior to final adoption of the plan. Final plan approval is anticipated in Spring 2026.
How to Submit Comments
Written comments may be submitted to:
Owyhee County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Angie Barkell, County Clerk
Email: abarkell@co.owyhee.id.us
Owyhee County HMP December Draft
