Idaho state report shows mistakes made during prescribed burn on ranch co-owned by USDA undersecretary
Ranch manager that started 2024 wildfire without permits during dry fuel ban is Trump appointee’s brother
A 2024 wildfire incident report from the Idaho Department of Lands obtained by High Country News and Public Domain reveals how an unauthorized prescribed burn eventually broke containment from private property co-owned by a Trump administration appointee.
Michael Boren was confirmed in 2025 as the U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service. His brother, Steve Boren, manages the Josephine Creek Ranch in Idaho. Public financial disclosure documents show Michael Boren has an ownership stake in the ranch.
On Sept. 30, 2024, Steve Boren called local authorities to report that he would be doing a prescribed burn on the ranch.
However, according to the Idaho incident report he reportedly ignited 20 separate fires on public land around Josephine Creek Ranch. The report shows Boren did this during an Idaho fire ban due to dry conditions and without any permits. That resulted in the Rosie Fire, which burned more than 5,600 acres of public land and required federal, state and local fire agencies to respond. The fire cost $950,000 to contain.
Steven Boren told investigators he started the fires to help with the ranch’s cattle management operations. In a statement to High Country News and Public Domain, Michael Boren denied having any advance knowledge of the unauthorized burn and denied any personal wrongdoing.
No citations or criminal charges related to the Rosie Fire have been filed. Idaho fire officials told High Country News and Public Domain that the state’s incident report remains part of an active investigation.
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