Prescribed burns prompt road, trail closures

COEUR d'ALENE — The Idaho Panhandle National Forests on Tuesday announced the temporary closures of several roads, trails, and areas within the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District due to prescribed burning.

The prescribing burning is part of the Upper River Fuels Reduction Project, which aims to "reduce hazardous surface and ladder fuels to decrease wildfire severity," establish and maintain the resiliency of the forest structure, and improve wildlife habitat and big game browse, a press release said.

Temporary closures will be in place for safety reasons during aerial ignitions operations and will be lifted as soon as conditions are safe enough to do so, the press release said.