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. 

The closures are located in the northern end of the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, east of Lake Pend Oreille and south of the Clark Fork River. 

Area 1 includes: all area south of Forest Road Service Road 332, west of Trail 448, north of North Fork Coeur d'Alene River including Trail 20, north of FSR 1533, north of Spruce Creek, east of Route 1 East and the Route 2 East line, and east of FSR 306. 

Area 2 includes: all area south of Forest Service Road 412, west of North Fork Coeur d'Alene River, north of FSR 208, north of Trail 309, and east of FSR 3099. 

Forest Service Roads 1533, 306, and 240 will be closed for the duration of the prescribed burning. Portions of National Forest Service trails 20, 452, and 24 will also be closed.