COEUR D’ ALENE, ID –  Idaho Panhandle National Forests are planning prescribed fire operations this fall, pending all required approvals. They estimate this work to continue through the season as weather conditions allow. They 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:

• Simmons (located in southeast Shoshone County, northeast of Simmons peak and Red Ives and south of the state line between ID and MT.)
• Upper River (located in Shoshone County within the Upper North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Basin and its tributaries including Buckskin, Cinnamon, Forks, Marten, Spion Kop, Stony, Swift, Taft, and Tepee Creeks. Potentially impacted National Forest Systems Trails include 20, 81, 244, and 309. Potentially impacted National Forest System Roads include 208 (Coeur d’Alene River Road), 306, 600, 1533, 2360A, 3099, and 6310 (Tepee Creek Road)).
• Boulder (located in Boundary County, approximately 11-13 miles southeast of Bonners Ferry. Potentially impacted National Forest System Trails include 176, 180, and 515

Those 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, and know before you go by visiting https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/idahopanhandle/alerts.

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.

They 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 North Idaho Prescribed Fire storymap https://arcg.is/HTTHP0, the forest website, and social media channels. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.