Idaho firefighting group reaches deal with OSHA

Officials from an Idaho firefighting organization have reached an agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration over citations and fines levied after a 20-year-old firefighter was killed by a falling tree last summer.

The Lewiston Tribune reported Friday that the Orofino-based Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association has agreed to a $10,500 fine, down from the $14,000 fine OSHA proposed in February for the death of U.S. Forest Service firefighter Anne Veseth of Moscow. The agreement also revised the citation.

Idaho Department of Lands spokeswoman Emily Callihan said the original citation would have required firefighters to leave any fire where standard firefighting orders couldn’t be followed or dangerous situations were present. Callihan says OSHA realized that could prevent an initial attack on many fires.