Idaho Panhandle National Forests Begin Prescribed Fires

Idaho Panhandle National Forests are planning prescribed fire operations starting today. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

• Priest Lake Ranger District: projects north of Priest River in the vicinity of Jasper Mountain and Quartz Creek
• Bonners Ferry Ranger District: projects in the Boulder, Snow, Hellroaring, and Twentymile Creek drainages
• Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District: the Ridge Creek project in the drainages of Chilco, Conie, East Fork Hayden, Middle Fork Hudlow, and West Fork Hudlow Creeks, as well as projects in the Burnt Cabin drainage and near Prichard, ID
• St Joe Ranger District: projects in the Kelly Creek drainage (south of Avery), and another 12 miles east of Avery, ID, in the Malin Creek drainage

Areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and the IPNF Prescribed Fire StoryMap https://arcg.is/HTTHP0. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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