Reminder - Forest campgrounds usually open from Memorial weekend until late July depending on weather, elevation and snow levels.
COVID-19 - Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High-risk activities such as rock climbing, etc. or backcountry activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. We also encourage you to follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. For more information about how the Forest Service is responding to COVID-19, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/covid19-updates
4-24-2020 Currently there are no fire restrictions in effect
BURN PERMITS
The fire burn permit is free and required under Idaho law for any burning outside city limits statewide (excluding campfires) from May 10 through October 20. However, some cities and other jurisdictions - including local or county fire departments, Idaho DEQ, Tribal Reservations, and others - may have additional or alternate permit systems in place. Please review website. http://burnpermits.idaho.gov/
For questions regarding burn permits, contact the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management Bureau at this Contact link. If after hours or no answer, please contact your local Fire Department or Sherriff's office.
7-17-2020- 7-17-2021 - ALERT - All explosives and exploding targets are prohibited on National Forest Service lands administered as National Forests within the Intermountain Region.
Attached is the regional order prohibiting exploding targets and other explosives. (Order number: R4-2020-02)
7-17-2020 - 7-17-2021 - ALERT - Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited on National Forest lands administered as National Forests with the Intermountain Region.
2. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engines without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order are prohibited on National Forest lands. (Order number: R4-2020-01)
1-15-2020- Revised- The Forest Service is reinstating the Over-Snow restrictions that are not covered by the Motor Vehicle Use Map. (0402-00-56)
The Forest Service is reinstating the Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM) for the Boise National Forest that was published Feb. 11, 2016, under 36 CFR 212 Subpart C, effective immediately. (1-15-2020) The order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect until April 30, 2023, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
8-13-2014 - The Cascade Ranger District - Road Closure NFS Road #478 (Rice Creek Road) is closed till further notice for public safety due to road damage and washouts. (0402-04-62.)
9-2-2020 Idaho City Ranger District closes NFS road 364 (Grimes Creek) and 261
The Idaho City RD of the Boise National Forest will temporarily close access to all public entry along National Forest System road and area 364 (Grimes Creek.)
The Area and Roads are closed to all public entry to provide resource rehabilitation and address ongoing human sanitation issues. (0402-03-100)
This Order will be in effect from September 1, 2020 at 00:01 A.M. and shall remain in effect until September 01, 2021 at 00:01 A.M. Unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
12-31-2020 Update - The Kirkham Hot Springs is open for DAY USE ONLY from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. until further notice. THERE IS NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. Visitors cannot drive into the campground. The gate is closed. They can walk in. (0402-05-85)
ALL LARGE WILDFIRE INFORMATION WITHIN THE BOISE NATIONAL FOREST IS POSTED TO: INCIWEB.
INCIWEB is used for information about wildfires primarily over 100 acres in size. To locate Boise National Forest fire information click on the State dropdown link and then choose Idaho. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov
Alert - Use Caution - Floating South Fork Boise River
Please use caution if you plan on floating the South Fork Boise River. The South Fork Boise River, located in a large roadless area, is a changing river due to mud slides and rock deposits following large fires. Rafters need to be aware and prepared for changeable rapids. The Buffalo Creek rapid, which used to be a Class 3, is now a Class 5 Rapid. Please view the video and use extreme caution!
Additional 2014 - 2019 ROAD CLOSURES:
Alert - A few roads that were washed out in 2014 may still be closed and may not be repaired in the future.
Check with the Ranger District before heading to the areas shown in the news release.
Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulation 261.50 (a) gives each Forest Supervisor the authority to issue orders which close or restrict use of the of described areas within the area over which he/she has jurisdiction. An order may close an area to entry or may restrict the use of an area by applying any or all of the prohibitions authorized in Title 36, Part 261, Subpart B, of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Effective - December 14, 2017--The Forest Service is withdrawing the Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM) for the Boise National Forest that was published on February 11, 2016 under 36 CFR § 212 Subpart C, effective immediately. The OSVUM shall have no further force or effect.
9-17-2017 - TERMINATED - Effective Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions within Boise National Forest are terminated. VIEW THE TERMINATION.
Fire Restrictions to be Implemented Boise National Forest effective Aug. 11, 2017
The Boise National Forest will be entering Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Aug. 11 at 12:01 a.m. Campfires will only be allowed in the designated sites as shown on the attached list.
This order will remain in effect until further notice Oct. 1, 2017, at 12:01 unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor. Order #0402-00-52
With the reduced risk of wildfires due to cooler temperatures and precipitation in the area, state and federal wildfire officials will lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions within the West Central Idaho Mountains effective Thursday, Sept. 15, at 11:59 p.m.
Fire Restrictions to be Implemented in Treasure Valley and West Central Mountains
With the threat of wildfire danger increasing throughout southwest Idaho, local wildland fire management agencies will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, effective August 1, 2016 beginning at 12:01 a.m. They will remain in effect until further notice. Order #0402-00-41
The Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be lifted on both the Boise National Forest and the Payette National Forest effective Friday morning, September 11, at 12.01 a.m.
THIS ORDER HAS BEEN TERMINATED 12-28-2020 (0402-03-101)
12-7-2020 – The Idaho City RD has temporarily closed NFS road 327
The Idaho City Ranger District of the Boise National Forest has temporarily closed access to motorized vehicles along National Forest System road and area 327 (Granite Creek-Rabbit Creek Road.)
This Order will be in effect December 07, 2020 and shall remain in effect until December 28,2020 at 12:01 a.m. unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
The purpose of the closure to all highway legal motorized vehicles (passenger cars, vans, SUVs, pickups and trucks) is to provide for public health and safety due to vehicles becoming stuck and stranded in snow covered segments of the Road.
9-25-2020 – The Boise NF and Sawtooth NF have REVISED the temporary closure of the Grouse Fire area, roads and trails
BOISE NATIONAL FOREST, MOUNTAIN HOME RANGER DISTRICT, SAWTOOTH NATIONAL FOREST AND FAIRFIELD RANGER DISTRICT have REVISED the temporary closure of roads and trails within the Grouse Fire area to provide for public safety during wildfire suppression activities.
This Order will be in effect from September 25, 2020 through October 15, 2020, unless rescinded by the Forest Supervisor. (0402-01-94)
The Idaho City RD of the Boise National Forest will temporarily close access to all public entry along National Forest System road and area 364 (Grimes Creek.)
The Area and Roads are closed to all public entry to provide resource rehabilitation and address ongoing human sanitation issues. (0402-03-100)
This Order will be in effect from September 1, 2020 at 00:01 A.M. and shall remain in effect until September 01, 2021 at 00:01 A.M. Unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
THIS ORDER HAS BEEN TERMINATED. VIEW THE TERMINATION.
The Idaho City RD of the Boise National Forest will temporarily close access to all public entry along National Forest System road and area 384 (Edna Creek.) The purpose is for public safety while maintenance crews are able to repair sections of road. (0402-03-99)
This Order will be in effect from September 8, 2020 and shall remain in effect until October 03, 2020at 5:00 P.M. unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
Emmett Ranger District has terminated the EXTENDED closure of Sage Hen Recreation Area and Roads including portions of NFS Roads #609, #622, #626, all of Roads #614, #614I and #614J. This order will be in effect in October 1, 2020, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor. (0402-06-47)
THIS ORDER HAS BEEN TERMINATED 12-31-2020 (0402-03-94)
The Idaho City RD of the Boise National Forest had temporarily closed access to all motor vehicles along National Forest System road 385 (Banner Creek) due to road failure. The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety during the road failure. (0402-03-94)
This Order will be in effect December 31,2019 and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2020 unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
The Emmett Ranger District has temporarily extended the closure of NFS road 626H to all public entry. The purpose of the order to provide for public safety and to facilitate hazard mitigation timber operations along the road. The area is experiencing high Tussock Moth mortality.
This order will be in effect from June16 and shall remain in effect through August 30, 2020 unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.
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