In brief: 2 teens airlifted after crash

Two teens were airlifted to a hospital Saturday after a rollover crash in Ferry County.

Alcohol or drugs were involved, according to the Washington State Patrol. Kyle Kirkendall, 19, and a 17-year-old passenger were southbound on Highway 21 eight miles north of Republic, Wash., when the crash occurred about 12:41 a.m.

Kirkendall drifted off the roadway in a Ford Ranger pickup, overcorrected and then rolled, coming to rest on the southbound shoulder.

Kirkendall is listed in stable condition, according to a hospital official. The other teen’s condition could not be released because he is a minor.

Neither was wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending.

More burns planned in Idaho

The Forest Service was conducting prescribed burning Friday in the Wolf Lodge area near Lake Coeur d’Alene.

About 150 acres in the Wolf Lodge and Blue Creek areas are targeted for burning over the next week. Smoke from the fires will be visible from Interstate 90, and motorists traveling on Forest Service roads in the area could face short delays as a result of heat and smoke.

The burns target slash left over from logging operations.

Meanwhile, the Forest Service has additional prescribed burns planned on 2,000 acres in the upper reaches of the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. A helicopter will be used to start small fires needed to reduce fuels, improve big game habitat and thin brush.

Setting the small fires will reduce the risk of large wildfires near rural communities and outbreaks of forest pests such as bark beetles, Acting District Ranger Dan Scaife said.

The Forest Service is working with the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group to monitor smoke from the fires and burn under conditions that reduce smoke.

More information is available on the prescribed burning hotline: (800) 232-FIRE.

Idaho to set rules for big game

LEWISTON – Despite frustration and misgivings, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has given the department staff permission to set up rules for administering a series of new and exclusive big-game auction tags.

The law setting up the auction was approved earlier this year over commission objections. The law gives the commission the authority to issue multiple auction tags for elk, deer and antelope and one each for moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep.

Commissioners met Thursday in Riggins, and the Lewiston Tribune reported several complained about the new law.