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  3. Hikers: expect downfall on fire-area trails, roads

Hikers: expect downfall on fire-area trails, roads

Downfall litters the Kettle Crest Trail in the spring after the 2015 summer wildfires on the Colville National Forest. Trail users can expect downed snags to be common in burned areas for several years following the fires. (Holly Weiler)
Downfall litters the Kettle Crest Trail in the spring after the 2015 summer wildfires on the Colville National Forest. Trail users can expect downed snags to be common in burned areas for several years following the fires. (Holly Weiler)

HIKING -- The photo above illustrates why some forest areas have been closed or at the least caution has been advised and restoration is underway in the aftermath of the 2015 wildfires throughout the region.

Holly Weiler of the Washington Trails Association/Spokane Mountaineers was exploring areas of the Colville National Forest with other hikers when she snapped the photo over the weekend.

Plenty of trails are available that were not impacted by last year's fires, she hinted.

Check with Forest Service offices when planning a trip. Forest access roads have been impacted by the fires, too.  Take a saw with you in case you need it to get out!

Outdoors blog

Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.

Go to the full Outdoors page