FAQ's

Below are some common questions about the North Blaine County Fire District. If you have questions, please submit them to jgardner@sunvalleyidaho.gov.

Where is the North Blaine County Fire District?

The North Blaine County Fire District extends from north of Hailey to just south of Ketchum and then north of Ketchum to just south of Stanley. It is the non-incorporated land of northern Blaine County. We respond as mutual aid to districts around our locations.
Is the North Blaine County Fire District part of the Sun Valley Fire Department?

The North Blaine County Fire District is its own local government entity. It is managed by a publicly elected Board of Commissioners, collects property taxes as a primary source of revenue, and approves a budget of expenditures each year. The District is partnered via a contract with the City of Sun Valley Fire Department. Through this contract, the District shares the resources of the Sun Valley Fire Department, including staff, offices, and some equipment.
If I have an emergency, who responds?

Depending on the type of emergency, you will have responders from North Blaine County Fire District Stations at Greenhorn and Griffin Butte, and Sun Valley Fire. Strong auto aid and mutual aid agreements ensure that larger instances will be responded to by other departments in the valley. Medical calls will also be responded to by the Ketchum Fire District and BC South, depending on the location of the call.
Do I have to shovel out my fire hydrant during the winter / cut the grass around the hydrant during the summer?

Yes, please! Our crew does their best to shovel out hydrants during the winter, but it can be very difficult to keep up with. Keeping your hydrant accessible will decrease the time it takes to connect to a water supply in the case of a fire on your property - decreasing the time it takes to respond to your fire.
What is my tax rate for the North Blaine County Fire District?

Your tax rate changes each year with the District. This is because the rate is calculated with the amount of property tax collected compared to property values. The District can only increase our collection of property taxes by 3% each year, and often property values are increasing by more than that. For Fiscal Year 2025, the Levy Rate for residents in the North Blaine County Fire District is approximately 0.01097%. Total property tax collected for the District in Fiscal Year 2025 is $518,533.