Phones Come To Some Camp Areas

Next time campers are disturbed by a bear along the Payette River in the Boise National Forest, they can telephone for help with their credit card.

Five U.S. Forest Service campgrounds along the South Fork near Garden Valley and Lowman have been equipped with the familiar noisemakers.

Boise camper Jon Wilton’s reaction to Ma Bell’s intrusion:

“Oh, my god. You go camping to get away from them.”

“People are concerned that there is no quick way to get help if an emergency or crime occurs,” explained Ken Waugh, recreation manager for the Lowman Ranger District.

Phones have been installed in Hot Springs, Mountain View, Kirkham, Helende and Bonneville campgrounds.

One also has been installed at the Danskin river boat ramp on the South Fork, where rafters take out.

“With a telephone nearby, the Boise National Forest hopes also to provide a sense of security and, in turn, get more people out enjoying the forest,” Waugh said.

The phones, operated by Paytel Northwest, are on poles at the entrances of the campgrounds.

, DataTimes