TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)-Five Magic Valley rural fire districts are now in possession of Bureau of Land Management fire engines that will help knock down wildfires in the future.

The BLM transferred five fire engines to the Bliss Rural Fire District, Notch Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association, Raft River Rural Fire Protection District, Saylor Creek Rangeland Fire Protection Association and the Shoshone Basin Rangeland Fire Protection Association Thursday evening during a formal ceremony at the BLM Twin Falls District Office.

The equipment is given to the fire fighting groups at no cost as part of the Rural Fire Readiness program. “We are pleased to make this engine transfer happen for so many of our rural partners on the Twin Falls District,” said BLM Idaho State Director John Ruhs said in a prepared statement. “Through this transfer, we are enhancing the ability to suppress wild-land fires that threaten communities, property and natural resources in south-central Idaho.” The program allows smaller rural communities to respond to wild fires as they happen, often times quicker.

More From 95.7 KEZJ