Respect the River

07/27/2021

Update on North Fork wildfires and road closures. Please refer to the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests for official wildfire updates. They are posting regular updates on the Character Complex (Deceitful and Prichard fires). The InciWeb link will be in the comments and is another good place for official fire information. The IPNF and Sheriff's Office have been conducting regular public briefings that are recorded and available on the IPNF page. Those briefings have a lot of up to date, more detailed information if you'd like more details. The IPNF Public Information Officer phone number is (406) 426-9130.

There's information on road closures in the post shared below and The latest update says - For public and firefighter safety, please drive with caution and avoid fire areas, if possible. Recreationists are urged to stay out of the evacuation zones. Thank you so much to all the people working so hard on these fires! We really appreciate you!

05/31/2019

It's officially summer! Do you think we need a fish like this??

Have a great weekend and don't forget to Pack it in, Pack it out!

As some rumours swirl around the internet that there will be more plastic than fish by 2050, there are also some great stories about local recycling, like this one about…

08/24/2018

FYI on fire updates and closures from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests FB page.

08/13/2018

NEWS RELEASE-
Fire growth near Bunco Road cause additional closures – Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (August 11, 2018) – The Idaho Panhandle National Forests has issued an emergency area closure on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, impacting portions of Forest Service Road (FSR) #332 Bunco Road and adjoining trails due to wildfire activity. After Friday’s record high temperatures in the low 100’s, the Surprise Creek Fire increased over 700 acres, which resulted in a visible smoke column. In order to provide public safety and resource
protection, effective immediately an area closure is in place along the following roads and trails:

Western Boundary:
 Forest Service Road (FSR) #332 [Bunco Road] between its junction with FSR #205 and FSR #258
 FSR #258 [Crooked Ridge Road] from its junction with FSR #332 to junction with FSR #436

Southern Boundary:
 FSR #436 from its junction with FSR #258 to its junction with Trail #956
 From the FSR #436 and Trail #956 junction eastward to Owl Creek to Trail #22
 Trail #22 to its junction with FSR #925
 FSR #925 from its junction with Trail #22 to its junction with FSR #3099

Eastern Boundary:
 FSR #3099 from its junction with FSR # 925 to its junction with FSR #205

Northern Boundary:
 FSR #205 to its junction with FSR #332

This area closure includes the following roads and trails:
 Trail #416 ‐ East Declaration Trail (Faset Peak to Independence Creek)
 Trail #413 – Ermine Ridge Trail (Faset Peak to Independence Creek)
 Trail #22 – Independence Creek Trail (its entirety)
 Trail #956 – Snowbird Meadows Trail (its entirety)
 Trail #404 – (its entirety)
 Trail #56 – (its entirety)
 FSR #2378 – Faset Peak (FSR #332 to Faset Peak)
 FSR #903
 FSR #904
 FSR #1520
 FSR #925 – (its entirety)

As fire activity fades, and areas, roads and trails are determined to be safe, the Forest Service will continue lifting emergency closures. For an up to date listing of closures and closure maps, please visit the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf, or contact our Fire Public Information Line at (208) 557‐8813. Additional information on fires near this closure can be found on InciWeb: Surprise Creek Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6125/

News Release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/ipnf/news-events
IPNF Alerts and Closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices

08/10/2018

New fire restrictions from the Kootenai County Fire Chiefs Association.

08/08/2018

It's that time again... Please be careful out there! The National Weather Service has upgraded the Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for hot, dry, and unstable conditions Thursday, followed by dry, gusty winds on Friday and the potential for lightning strikes.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Fire Restrictions will be going into effect soon throughout our local area and YOU are responsible for knowing what they are!

Learn more about the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions going into effect at 11:59pm on August 9 by visiting http://www.idahofireinfo.com/p/fire-restrictions.html for a detailed map and current information regarding fire restrictions.

07/16/2018

Especially as things heat up and dry out, here's a great reminder from Shoshone County Fire Prevention Cooperative!

The Co-op is reminding the public that our area is a beautiful place to recreate whether your camping, fishing, using the trails or back roads there is alot to offer. The weather is getting hotter and fuels are drying.

Local agencies have responded to numerous abandoned campfires. This ties up these resources for hours driving or hiking into these abandoned campfire locations. Please extinguish your campfire and make sure it is dead out before leaving the area.

We also wanted to thank all of the outdoor enthusiasts that have called in to report these before they became a potential wildfire.

Thank you and have a safe summer!
Shoshone County Fire Prevention Cooperative

06/26/2018

Fire Danger Upgraded to Moderate

----FIRE DANGER IS MOVING TO MODERATE----

The Shoshone County Fire Chiefs Association, which includes members from all local fire departments and wildland fire agencies, have determined it is time to move the fire danger to Moderate for the local area; effective June 25th, 2018.
Small permitted burn types, including residential yard waste, are still allowed but as our conditions are changing quickly we ask the residents to please be extra vigilant and always monitor your small pile until it is dead out.

With Independence Day fast approaching, we want to remind the public to be careful with their camp fires and fireworks. To have a safe holiday please follow these rules:

Ensure all campfires are kept to a reasonable size and extinguished completely if not attended. Campfires left unattended to smolder are still potentially dangerous. A shovel and bucket are required and will help to put your fire out.

Fireworks, of any type, are NOT allowed on any forested land (private, industrial, state or federal) in Idaho during closed fire season, May 10 through October 20, as per Idaho Code, 38-117.

Fireworks that shoot into the air are ILLEGAL and especially dangerous. Use only “non- aerial common fireworks.” As defined by Idaho Code 39-2602; “Non-aerial common fireworks" means any fireworks such as ground spinners, fountains, sparklers, smoke devices or snakes designed to remain on or near the ground and not to travel outside a fifteen (15) foot diameter circle or emit sparks or other burning material which land outside a twenty (20) foot diameter circle or above a height of twenty (20) feet. Non-aerial common fireworks do not include firecrackers, jumping jacks, or similar products.

If you choose to use fireworks, make sure you use them in a safe area. Children should not be allowed to handle any fireworks without the supervision of an adult. Parents, guardians or other persons having custody or control of a minor shall be liable for damage caused by the use of fireworks by the minor.

Please be kind to your neighbors and remember fireworks can be stressful to our pets and animals. Be careful and have a safe holiday.

For additional information or questions about permits, please contact your local fire district, at the phone numbers below:

Shoshone County FD #1 752-1101
Shoshone County FD #2 784-1188
Shoshone County FD #3 744-1194
Prichard/Murray VFD 682-3957
US Forest Service 783-2100
Idaho Department of Lands 682-4611

06/16/2018

Check out this lovely North Fork CdA River cutthroat trout from Silver Bow Fly Shop! Cutthroat trout, known for their red slash marking, are Idaho's official State Fish and native to our waters up here. Wishing you a great weekend, especially if you're out enjoying the river. Don't forget, when it comes to garbage - Pack it in, pack it out!