The Payette National Forest bunkhouse-style employee housing in McCall, ID is getting a facelift.  

Two of the original bunkhouses, situated on a hill between the McCall and Krassel district offices, were bulldozed in late January to make way for new employee housing.  

Built in 1959, the buildings were outdated and not insulated for winter use.  

“The buildings are old and finding replacement parts is challenging,” said Samuel Thompson, facilities engineer. “The deferred maintenance is so high that it makes more sense to build a new building instead of updating the old one.”  

The two old buildings will be replaced by three new buildings with updated insulation so the spaces can house employees year-round.  

“The new spaces have capacity for eight people, two single use bathrooms, a kitchen, living and dining area, and laundry in each unit,” Thompson said.  

Since 19 trees had to be cut down to make space for the new buildings, Payette fire and timber staff used the opportunity to train or re-certify sawyers. Wood from the trees was donated to the Valley County-based Chop with a Cop wood bank program, which supplies firewood to those in need.  

“This project is a great example of how our different program areas can work together to support the firewood needs of our neighbors in Valley County,” said Tim Leishman, timber staff officer.  

The wood bank program has grown significantly over the past two years, thanks to a partnership with the Valley County Sheriff’s Foundation and the many private volunteers who contribute their time.  

“The National Forest Foundation has been instrumental in this success through its Wood for Life Fuelwood Initiative, which has helped guide and inspire our efforts,” Leishman said. “Building on this momentum, we’re now looking at ways to support more local wood banks while continuing to collaborate closely with our neighboring tribal wood banks.”

Funding for this project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides funding that enables federal land managers to take aggressive steps to address deferred maintenance and other infrastructure projects on national forests.  

Construction of the new bunkhouses will start this spring and the buildings should be ready for occupancy by the end of 2026.