Idaho state Department of Lands Director George Bacon gave his budget presentation to lawmakers this morning, and said, "The department has tried very hard not to cut our fire program." Still, budget cuts have forced some layoffs, and forced the department to hire on some fire crews later in the season, he said, which is "a form of furloughing." As a result, he said, "'There's already a higher likelihood more small fires will escape initial attack and become larger, more costly incidents. ... Further budget reductions would eliminate fire trucks. ... This would be bad."